The New England Patriots are expected to sign free-agent running back Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year, $6-million contract, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Elliott is finding a new home after spending the first seven years of his career as a member of the Dallas Cowboys.
The three-time Pro Bowler is flying to New England on Tuesday morning to make the signing official, then plans on participating in the Patriots’ joint practices with the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday, according to Rapoport.
Elliott was released by Dallas in March with a post June 1st designation. Elliott rushed for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns while splitting carries with Tony Pollard in his final season with the Cowboys in 2022.
New England is adding a veteran presence to a backfield that was projected to lean heavily on third-year tailback Rhamondre Stevenson. The Patriots’ running back depth chart also features Ty Montgomery, Pierre Strong, Kevin Harris, and J.J. Taylor.
Elliott visited New England last month. He plans on wearing No. 15 with his new team after last donning the number during his collegiate tenure at Ohio State.
The 2016 first-team All-Pro is only a year removed from his last 1,000-yard campaign. Elliott has rushed for 8,262 yards and 68 touchdowns in his career, along with 305 receptions for 2,336 yards and 12 more scores.
The former Cowboys star will be on the opposing sideline when the Patriots travel to Dallas in Week 4 to face his former team on Oct. 1.
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