For the first time in their careers, Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott are no longer teammates.
Both players joined the Dallas Cowboys in 2016. While Prescott has evolved from a fourth-round pick to the franchise quarterback, Elliott signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots after Dallas released him in March.
Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Prescott expressed confidence in the Patriots benefitting from Elliott’s presence.
“That’s a brother well beyond this football field,” Prescott said. “I know he’s going to help that team. Talk about being a great teammate, a professional. There’s not many better than Zeke that I’ve seen in my time.”
He also complimented Elliott’s new haircut, which Prescott believes makes the 28-year-old look younger.
Dak Prescott on Ezekiel Elliott: “That’s a brother well beyond this football field; I know he’s going to help that team. Talk about being a great teammate, a professional, there’s not many better than Zeke that I’ve seen in my time … and love his new haircut. He looks younger.”
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 17, 2023
Prescott previously called Elliott his best friend and said he continued to work out with the running back this offseason. The Cowboys never shut down the idea of a reunion, but that door closed after Elliott took a deal with New England worth up to $6 million.
Elliott could form a formidable duo alongside Rhamondre Stevenson, who seized control of New England’s backfield by tallying 1,461 scrimmage yards last season. The team-time Pro Bowler likely must accept that his days of stockpiling 300-plus touches in a season are over.
If fully recovered from offseason ankle surgery, Tony Pollard could assume a bigger role as Dallas’ unquestioned primary running back. But the Cowboys could also look for production from Malik Davis, Deuce Vaughn, or perhaps a preseason signing of their own.
Prescott and Elliott must pause their friendship when the Cowboys host the Patriots on Oct. 1.