Jerry Jones has caused so much buzz (not the good kind) around the Dallas Cowboys by dragging his feet with Mike McCarthy that Ezekiel Elliott's release feels like it happened two months ago.
Just before the Cowboys' season finale, Elliott requested his release from the team hoping to sign with a playoff-bound team and compete for a Super Bowl.
Not only has Elliott never been to the NFC Championship Game and his career is winding down, but his role with Dallas had fizzled out. It's easy to understand why Zeke wanted out. Out of his respect for his legacy with the franchise, the Joneses granted his release.
If you can believe it, Elliott will have a role in the NFL playoffs after all after he signed to the LA Chargers practice squad.
Former Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott signs with the LA Chargers
The Chargers are the perfect landing spot for Elliott. He should have plenty of familiarity with head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was the coach at Michigan while Elliott was at Ohio State. The Wolverines and Buckeyes form the greatest rivalry in college football.
Harbaugh loves to play smash-mouth football and that is Elliott's calling card. If there is any coach that can squeeze out what's left in Zeke's tank, it's Harbaugh. The Chargers have an opening for a backup running back, as veteran Gus Edwards is dealing with an ankle injury.
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Starting rusher J.K. Dobbins only just returned from injured reserve, too. While Dobbins looked healthy in Week 18, his injury history is well-documented. Backing up Dobbins in Greg Roman's run-heavy offense is the perfect role for the 29-year-old Elliott.
Elliott will start on the practice squad, but the Chargers are hopeful he picks up the playbook in a timely manner. They seemingly would like to activate Zeke for Saturday's Wild Card matchup against the Houston Texans.
It would be quite the turn of events if Elliott morphs into a key player for Harbaugh. Regardless, though, it was never going to work out in Dallas. Most of the fan base did not want him back to begin with and the team shoehorned him into the offense when it was painfully obvious Rico Dowdle deserved to carry the load.
Sure enough, Dowdle eclipsed the 1,000-yard milestone. He averaged 95.1 yards per game from Week 7 on at 4.73 yards per carry. Elliott, meanwhile, averaged a league worst 3.1 yards per carry to go with just five missed tackles forced and a 59.6 rushing grade, via PFF.
Between his habitual tardiness and missing multiple team meetings, Elliott did not cover himself in glory this season.
However, the reunion never should have happened in the first place. He is still a Cowboys icon and we'll be pulling for the Chargers so Zeke gets a ring before he retires.