The New England Patriots made a significant splash on Monday when they signed veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Elliott was one of the faces of the Dallas Cowboys for the last seven seasons, and he is certainly a big-name signing, even if his game doesn’t match his billing anymore.
He has seemingly been in slow decline over the last couple years, and experts seem split on whether he will make a big impact for New England.
But Patriots insider Tom E. Curran says he’s excited about the signing because he feels Elliott has, in his words, “a lot more in the tank than people are giving him credit for,” via NBC Sports Boston.
“I think [Ezekiel] Elliott has a hell of a lot more in the tank than people are giving him credit for.”
Put @tomecurran in the ‘super excited’ camp on the Patriots’ latest signing 👀 pic.twitter.com/sEGwIj9rnw
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) August 14, 2023
Elliott, the No. 4 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, had a monster rookie season with 15 rushing touchdowns, 5.1 yards per carry, and a league-high 1,631 rushing yards.
But that was his high-water mark, and his production has dropped sharply in the last three seasons.
In 2022, he only mustered 3.8 yards per carry, and with the emergence of running back Tony Pollard as a Pro Bowler, Dallas decided to let Elliott go.
Most consider the Patriots to be the worst team in the AFC East, and they badly needed an infusion of talent, especially on the offensive side of the football after the New York Jets landed four-time Pro Bowl tailback Dalvin Cook.
Last season, the Patriots were just 22nd in rushing touchdowns and 24th in rushing yards.
If Elliott’s game perks up this season, it should take at least a little pressure off quarterback Mac Jones, who is coming off a dismal second pro season.
