Jerry Jones’ decision not to sign Derrick Henry and instead bringing Ezekiel Elliott back to the team has well and truly backfired, with the organization releasing him for the second time.

At his own request, Elliott has been released so that he can join a playoff team with the Dallas Cowboys out of contention to make the postseason, playing his last game for the franchise after making 109 appearances.

Throughout the offseason, the Cowboys had been heavily linked with signing Henry, a Cowboys fan who lives in the Dallas area, but instead opted to bring ‘Zeke’ back to the roster with Henry joining the Baltimore Ravens. Through 17 games, Henry has 1,783 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Elliott has 226 yards and three scores.

But Jones was not the only one in wanting to the Cowboys to bring Elliott back, with quarterback Dak Prescott admitting he wanted to see the move happen after his release in 2022.

Speaking in 2023, Prescott said: “I’m always going to keep that hope that [me and Zeke] will be teammates again. I talk to him every day and wish him the best… being there as a brother is most important.”

Elliott spent one year with the New England Patriots, in what had been a struggling season for him with many believing his career in the NFL could be over. However, he was given the opportunity to rejoin the Cowboys, being trusted with the starting position – something he’d struggle with throughout the season.

Ezekiel Elliott has been released by the Dallas Cowboys for the second time

Ezekiel Elliott has been released by the Dallas Cowboys for the second time ( 

Image:

2024 Cooper Neill)

After a dismal year, Dallas will miss out on the playoffs while seeing Prescott’s NFL record contract kick in – potentially making it tougher for them to rebuild their roster, while needing to extend pass-rusher Micah Parsons to a new contract.

For Elliott, it’s an intriguing and somewhat bold move to ask for his release to join a playoff team, with coaches unlikely to be impressed with what he’s put on tape this year.

Elliott is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry, with many free agents at the position having better numbers than the 29-year-old. While he could be picked up by a playoff team, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll be able to have a meaningful role.