Ezekiel Elliott Takes Subtle Jab at Cowboys Coaching Staff Over Role

In a surprising development, star running back Ezekiel Elliott, now with the New England Patriots, has seemingly taken a veiled shot at his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, over the way they managed his role during the latter years of his tenure. Elliott, a former All-Pro and cornerstone of the Cowboys’ offense for several seasons, was released by Dallas in March 2023 after a period of declining production, and it appears that Elliott harbors some lingering frustrations.

While Elliott has maintained a professional demeanor since joining the Patriots, recent comments have given fans a glimpse into his dissatisfaction with how his final years in Dallas unfolded. During a recent interview, Elliott hinted that the Cowboys’ coaching staff didn’t fully utilize his skill set or give him the best opportunities to succeed. “I feel like I’ve still got a lot in the tank,” Elliott said. “It’s all about being in the right situation, having the right people believe in you, and putting you in positions to make plays.”

Although he stopped short of directly criticizing the Cowboys, many saw these comments as a reflection of his unhappiness with how Dallas phased him out in favor of Tony Pollard. Over the past two seasons, Elliott’s role diminished as Pollard, a younger and more explosive back, began to take on a more prominent position in the offense. The Cowboys’ coaching staff seemed to prefer using Elliott in short-yardage and blocking situations, limiting his touches and big-play opportunities.

Fans have also speculated that Elliott’s frustrations could be linked to the Cowboys’ decision-making process in managing his health. Injuries played a significant role in Elliott’s decline in production, but some analysts have pointed out that Dallas often leaned on him even when he wasn’t fully healthy, which may have worsened his performance and prolonged his recovery times.

Since joining the Patriots, Elliott has been vocal about wanting to prove himself, and his focus on rebounding in a new environment suggests that he believes a different approach might yield better results. “I’m here to show what I can still do,” he added. “It’s about being in a place where they trust you to be you.”

While Elliott remains careful not to explicitly criticize Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy or the coaching staff, it’s clear that his departure left unresolved feelings. For Cowboys fans, it raises questions about how the team handled the veteran running back in his final years and whether a different approach might have prolonged his career in Dallas.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Elliott to see if he can revitalize his career and prove that Dallas may have miscalculated in moving on from him.