The New England Patriots added to their running back room this week, signing Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year deal on Monday.
New England is likely to lean on its running game this season, but they also need third-year quarterback Mac Jones to play well. On Wednesday, Jones was asked for his early impressions on his new backfield mate.
“Zeke is awesome so far. Already was jumping in there getting some reps, so that was pretty cool to see fresh off a plane,” Jones said, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “
Jones added that Elliott seems like “a great fit” who can form a “great 1-2 punch” with projected starter Rhamondre Stevenson.
Mac Jones on Ezekiel Elliott: “Zeke is awesome so far. Already was jumping in there getting some reps, so that was pretty cool to see fresh off a plane … He seems like a great fit; him and Mondre are going to be a great 1-2 punch, and you can’t forget about the other [RBs]…”
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 16, 2023
Elliott, 28, has slowed down the last couple of seasons, and those signs of decline plus the former first-round pick’s high salary led to him being released by the Dallas Cowboys this offseason.
However, Elliott is still a viable short-yardage and goal line weapon, and he remains sturdy in pass protection. That should help him carve out a decent-sized role with New England this fall, though it would be a mistake for Bill Belichick to have the veteran cut too much into Stevenson’s workload.