The Patriots are signing free-agent running back Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year contract worth up to $6 million, a source confirmed to the Boston Herald on Monday.
Elliott took a visit with the Patriots late last month. Their depth has been tested behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson as Ty Montgomery and Pierre Strong have missed training camp practices. The team has needed dependable depth since letting Damien Harris walk in free agency. The Patriots replaced Harris with running back James Robinson but released him during the spring.
Elliott joins Stevenson, Montgomery, Strong, Kevin Harris, J.J. Taylor and C.J. Marable in the Patriots’ running back room. The Patriots don’t have an open spot on their roster and also are expected to sign free-agent linebacker Carson Wells, so corresponding moves are needed. It’s possible that the Patriots could release a running back to make room for Elliott.
The eighth-year veteran has been a free agent since the Dallas Cowboys cut him March 15. The two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection will serve as valuable, experienced depth to create a two-headed monster with Stevenson in the Patriots’ backfield.
Strong, Harris and Taylor struggled to gain yards in the Patriots’ preseason opener Thursday against the Houston Texans, but they were running behind an inexperienced offensive line.
The Patriots leaned on Stevenson hard last season, giving him 210 carries for 1,040 yards with five touchdowns to go along with 69 catches for 421 yards with another score. They typically like to split their workload more at the position. It was unsurprising to see the Patriots limit Stevenson’s workload early in training camp given his importance to the team.
Elliott, 28, carried the ball 231 times for 876 yards with 12 touchdowns in 15 games with the Cowboys while sharing time with Tony Pollard last season. Elliott can serve as a three-down back and is considered one of the better pass protectors among NFL running backs.
The Ohio State product is one year removed from his last 1,000-yard campaign. He has 8,262 yards and 68 touchdowns on 1,881 career carries. He’s also added 305 career receptions for 2,336 yards with 12 touchdowns.
Elliott tweeted shortly after signing, “One Five, all the way live ! @Patriots.”
Elliott wore No. 15 in college with the Buckeyes. Punter Corliss Waitman currently wears No. 15 with the Patriots, but other specialists double up on numbers with current offensive and defensive stars. Stevenson and kicker Chad Ryland currently share No. 38. Punter Bryce Baringer and outside linebacker Matt Judon share No. 9. Players can double up on numbers during training camp, but that’s not allowed during the regular season.
The Patriots will travel to Green Bay for joint practices and a preseason game with the Packers this week. They then head straight to Tennessee for joint practices and a preseason game with the Titans.
It’s unclear when Elliott will be integrated into the offense. The Patriots are scheduled to leave for Green Bay on Tuesday.
The Patriots hosted free-agent running backs Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson on workouts last month before Elliott’s visit. The Patriots have nearly a month before the regular season starts to get Elliott acclimated into their new offensive system headed by offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
The deal was first reported by NFL Media.
Story by Doug Kyed, Boston Herald
