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4 reasons Ezekiel Elliott will not be on the Dallas Cowboys in 2023

By Brendan Danaher

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 16: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during pregame warm-ups prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at AT&T Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 16: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during pregame warm-ups prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at AT&T Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 04: Quarterback Dak Prescott, right, excepts the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year with this teammate Ezekiel Elliot during the NFL Honors at the Wortham Theater Center on February 4, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 04: Quarterback Dak Prescott, right, excepts the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year with this teammate Ezekiel Elliot during the NFL Honors at the Wortham Theater Center on February 4, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Reason no. 3: Ezekiel Elliott’s maturity/effort

After the Cowboys’ initial success in 2016, Elliott appeared to be more interested in the off-field activities that come with being a professional football player.

It was not long before it got him into trouble. After the conclusion of the season, Elliott was seen pulling off a woman’s top exposing her breasts at a St. Patrick’s Day parade and he offered a limited explanation for that act.

During the 2017 season, Elliott was suspended for six games for violating the personal conduct policy due to five separate accusations of domestic violence with an ex-girlfriend. Prior to that same season beginning there were issues of Elliott gaining weight, and not appearing interested in the meeting room, and then there were on-field issues as well.

During his suspension, Elliott elected to go to Cabo San Lucas to “train” as opposed to working out in the US which raised some eyebrows due to the obvious temptations in Mexico. Upon his return, the Cowboys lost against the Seahawks which eliminated them from playoff contention.

In 2019 Elliott was captured on TMZ video after knocking a security guard to the ground and was subsequently placed in handcuffs by the Las Vegas Metro police. The security guard declined to press charges and Elliott was released.

The off-field issues continued with Elliott publicly arguing with a girlfriend and additional issues in 2021 when his dogs got loose and bit an individual, resulting in a lawsuit for over $1 million.

One of his more popular conduct issues came in 2020 when he did not realize he was still recording on the live stream application “Twitch” and he stated he was “lowkey faded” which is a slang term for being high on marijuana.

Elliott insisted it was due to alcohol consumption which isn’t much better.

The list goes on and on but it is clear over the years that Elliott is not maturing whether it was regarding domestic issues, personal conduct, or COVID restriction violations.

Plenty of other players in the league have off-field issues but it is usually limited to one or two issues if any. Elliott’s list is seemingly endless.

Elliott made it clear that even if his on-field play declined his off-field issues would continue. Some players cannot handle the money or fame that comes with their talent and Elliott should be counted among them.

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