“Jerry Jones Explains Cowboys’ Choice of Ezekiel Elliott Over Derrick Henry: Loyalty and Financial Strategy at Play”
Jerry Jones appeared on “The Stephen A. Smith Show” on Wednesday and gave a somewhat perplexing explanation for why the Dallas Cowboys chose to reunite with Ezekiel Elliott instead of pursuing Derrick Henry.
As the Cowboys prepare to start their season against the Cleveland Browns, questions loom about the “all-in” nature of their campaign and the future of quarterback Dak Prescott. Against this backdrop, Jones sat down for an interview with Stephen A. Smith at “The Star.”
During their conversation, the topic of Derrick Henry’s free agency came up. Rather than addressing any discussions with Henry, Jones turned the conversation toward Elliott, stating, “I personally thought his performance in New England was better than most people evaluated it. I believe Zeke gives us what we need in short-yardage situations, more than many fans might think.”
While Henry eventually signed with the Baltimore Ravens after rumored interest from the Cowboys, it became clear that financial considerations played a key role. Dallas avoided making an offer to Henry, unwilling to pay the $8 million per year he received from Baltimore. Instead, they opted for a much cheaper deal with Elliott at one-fourth of that price.
Dallas’ backfield is now a mix of talent, including Elliott, young backs Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn, fullback Hunter Luepke, and veteran Dalvin Cook, who is currently on the practice squad. However, enthusiasm for Elliott’s return has been lukewarm after he posted a career-low 3.5 yards per carry in New England last season, where his role diminished. Dowdle is now positioned to take over as the lead running back, with Cook potentially challenging for playing time.
Jones’ decision to bring back Elliott, a franchise favorite, reflects his tendency to stay loyal to his players, especially when the price is right. Ultimately, this is the real reason behind Dallas’ choice between Elliott and Henry.