The New England Patriots are in agreement with free agent running back Ezekiel Elliott on a one-year deal, with multiple sources reporting the contract is worth up to $6 million.
On Monday, Elliott confirmed earlier reports of the agreement when he announced on social media that he will wear No. 15 for the Patriots, his number at Ohio State, after wearing No. 21 for the Cowboys.
One Five, all the way live ! @Patriots
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) August 14, 2023
The contract has a $3 million base salary, a $1 million signing bonus and incentives that could be worth another $2 million, according to ESPN.
The two-time NFL rushing champion visited with the Patriots late last month and provides important depth behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson.
Elliott, 28, was released by the Dallas Cowboys in a salary-cutting move in March.
He was slowed in the second half of last season because of a knee injury and wasn’t fully healthy in 2021. He rushed for a career-low 876 yards and 3.9 yards per carry in 2022 while backup Tony Pollard emerged as a 1,000-yard rusher and big-play threat.
Elliott led the NFL in rushing in 2016 and 2018 and posted four 1,000-yard seasons with Dallas. The 2016 first-round pick (fourth overall) ranks third in Cowboys history in rushing yards (8,262) and rushing touchdowns (68) behind Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett. He also has 305 catches for 2,336 yards and 12 scores in 103 games (102 starts).
The Patriots released running back James Robinson in June, and Ty Montgomery is nursing an undisclosed injury. Second-year running backs Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris are also on the depth chart.
–Field Level Media
