In a frank interview on Wednesday, Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott revealed his long-term plans for his NFL career, including his plan to keep playing until reaching the 10,000-yard rushing barrier.
The Athletic’s Jon Machota reported that Elliott also would not be playing in the preseason games. The 27-year-old said that with his seven-year experience with the Cowboys, preseason games were no longer necessary.
Ezekiel Elliott is not expected to play in the preseason. Zeke: "I've been playing football 20 years. This is my 7th year (in the NFL). I've seen a lot of football. I don't think I need a preseason game, especially with the joint practices (with the Broncos and Chargers)."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 3, 2022
The Cowboys have joint practices scheduled against the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers for their training camp, which began this August. Both teams will play against the Cowboys during the preseason.
It is unlikely the team will disagree with his decision. In an interview with NFL Network in July, Jerry Jones, the Cowboys owner/president/general manager, revealed his plan to make Elliott the “focal point” of the 2022 running game. The team’s priority is keeping him fresh and uninjured for the September season start, especially after his torn PCL injury in 2021.
Future plans
Elliott’s plan to reach the 10,000-yard rushing barrier is an ambitious goal, given that in NFL history, only 31 running backs have been able to achieve it.
It is highly possible for him, however. During his six seasons so far, Elliott’s current tally is 7,386 yards, averaging 1,231 yards per season. Keeping his per-year average in mind, Elliott may only need another two or three years of playing in order to reach his 10,000-yard target.
Two former Cowboys previously have reached that goal: Emmit Smith and Tony Dorset, both members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Both are also Super Bowl champions, with four wins between them.
Elliott has said that he wanted to follow in their footsteps by being inducted into the Hall of Fame. If he manages to reach 10,000 rushing yards, and if he wins a Super Bowl, he will have a better chance to be inducted.
Career so far
Elliott played football for the Ohio State Buckeyes during his college days. In the 2016 NFL draft, he was selected in the first round — the first running back selected that year. He was picked fourth overall by the Cowboys. He signed his four-year rookie contract worth $24.9 million with the Dallas Cowboys in May of that year.
The running back has been chosen for the all-star Pro Bowl game three times: in 2016, 2018, and 2019. He has also been awarded the NFL rushing yards leader twice, in 2016 and 2018.
In 2019, Elliott and the Cowboys signed an extension deal on his contract. The six-year extension was worth $90 million. His contract will be up after the 2026 season.
He played all 18 games in 2021, but due to his injury, he finished with a career-low 237 rushes for 1,002 yards. Elliott chose not to undergo surgery. Instead, he decided to rest and work with his personal coach Josh Hicks. The 6-feet player, however, has recently said that he was fully healed.
Whether he will continue playing after reaching his 10,000-yard target remains to be seen.