6 rings: reaction to the Patriots landing Ezekiel elliott
The Patriots made a splash on Monday afternoon when according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, they agreed to terms with running back Ezekiel Elliott.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter followed up the report with more details on the contract: a one-year deal that includes a $3 million base salary and a $1 million signing bonus with a ceiling of $6 million with incentives.
Elliott has played seven NFL seasons, all with the Dallas Cowboys, and was an All-Pro in 2016. While he registered career lows in yards (876) and yards per attempt (3.8) in 2022, Elliott still provides high end ability as a spell back to Rhamondre Stevenson, something he did last season in Dallas behind Tony Pollard.
The Patriots are struggling in the running back department. Behind Stevenson, their room consists of second-year backs Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris, journeyman pass-catcher Ty Montgomery, JJ. Taylor, and newcomer C.J. Marable, who they signed on Saturday night.
Strong Jr. and Harris both had an opportunity to prove their worth behind Stevenson in last Thursday’s preseason matchup night against the Texans. Neither took it. Strong Jr. rushed for just 21 yards on six carries (3.5 YPC), and Harris just 10 yards on eight carries (1.3 YPC).
Granted, they did so with a makeshift offensive line in front of them that included zero projected starters and two rookies, but Belichick and the front office had seen enough, as they've since brought both Marable and Elliott into the room.
Elliott's main role will be taking the load off of Rhamondre Stevenson, who is the Patriots' "RB1". Stevenson burst onto the scene last season for New England with 1,040 yards on the ground and 421 yards through the air on 69 catches but was forced to become their bell cow down the stretch due to injuries to both Montgomery early and Damien Harris late. He wound up nursing plenty of bumps and bruises himself.
Stevenson, who now gets a much-needed break, weighed in on the Elliott acquisition on X (formally knowns as Twitter) with a simple emoji:
The signing will not only have a ripple effect on New England's running back room, but also along their offensive line. Elliott is both a hard-nosed runner and a high-end, experienced pass-blocker. This will help the Patriots keep quarterback Mac Jones upright as questions remain with the rest of the protection in front of him.
Elliott can contribute as a pass-catcher through the air as well. The former Ohio State Buckeye has hauled in 305 passes for 2,336 yards and 12 touchdowns during his NFL career, with his best season coming in 2018 with highs in all three categories (77 catches, 567 yards, three touchdowns). While the Patriots will likely lean on Stevenson, who caught 69 balls last season, as their pass-catcher, having Elliott as an asset as both a backup and as a pairing in 21-personnel adds yet another wrinkle to Bill O’Brien’s system.
There are now a surplus of possibilities for New England to put on the field offensively. As one Cowboys personnel member put it, "[Elliott] fits their playstyle perfectly”.
Would a higher-end player, a la Dalvin Cook, have added more? Perhaps. But with a difference of over $2 million at maximum contract value for a player who is comfortable taking a back seat, Elliott’s fit with the Patriots makes that much more sense.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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