Rich Eisen pressures Cowboys to relegate Ezekiel Elliot to RB2 behind Tony Pollard: "The days of you getting 25 touches and riding you to victory are over"
Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliot, two running backs locked in an ongoing battle for the starting role over the past number of years in the eyes of many, have their winner. After Pollard's explosive performance on Sunday in Elliot's absence, one NFL analyst believes it is time for the long-time starting running back to have a talk with management.
Speaking on the "Rich Eisen Show," NFL analyst Rich Eisen pressured Jerry Jones to deliver the news:
"Stephen Jones [needs to] tap Jerry on the shoulder and Jerry's [needs to] tap Zeke on the shoulder and say, ‘Your touches are cut. You're not cut. We're going to need you a lot.'"
Tony Pollard beats Zeke in just about every metric, but one that stands out to me—since 2021, he’s rushed for 5.47 yds/carry *between the tackles*—2nd amongst all backs.
Elliott ranks 38th. https://t.co/poRYQJ8MY6
He continued, explaining how the news should be delivered:
"'We're inspired by your eating and your ability to pass block and your ability to punch the ball in the end zone. We love your red zone abilities. But the days of you getting 25 touches and riding you to victory are over.’"
Tony Pollard is a better man than me.
Imagine being top a 10 Running back in football, but being a backup making $965K this year. While the starter, whom you’re better than, is making 12.4 million.
#Cowboys
Ezekiel Elliot's epitaph as a starter
If Week 7 of the 2022 season serves as his last game as a starter for the Dallas Cowboys, here's how his career looked over that span. Elliot was selected with the fourth overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. In his first year, the running back rushed for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns. It was the biggest year of his career.
The next closest season came in 2018, when he rushed for 1,434 yards and six touchdowns. Every other season, he rushed for at least 975 yards. In 2021, he rushed for 1,002 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has rushed 109 times for 443 yards and four touchdowns this year through seven games.
Will this serve as the end of his time as a starter, paving the way for Tony Pollard to take the reins permanently, or is there more to Elliot's story as a starter for America's team?
If any of the above quotes are used, please credit the Rich Eisen Show and H/T Sportskeeda.