Jerry Jones was certainly expecting more from Ezekiel Elliott after signing the talented running back to a six-year, $ 90 million contract extension. However, since landing a life-changing raise, the former Ohio State star has failed to replicate the success he experienced early in his NFL career. In fact, based on his disappointing 2020 season, it’s safe to say that Elliott faces more pressure to step up in 2021 than any other Dallas Cowboys player.

Luckily for Jones, the team’s highly paid cowback looks set for a rebound campaign. After the worst year of his professional football career, Elliott made two key changes to his offseason routine that could help him start running around defenders again with relative ease.

Jerry Jones didn’t get a great return on his $ 90 million investment

As if taking a running back with a top-five pick wasn’t risky enough, the Cowboys made an even bigger bet by granting Elliott a record-breaking contract extension just three years into his career in the NFL. Then again, Dallas didn’t have much of a choice since the All-Pro running back pulled out of training camp in an attempt to land a long-term deal.

Either way, handing Elliott $ 50 million guaranteed looks like another Jones and front office staffing mistake.

After looking like one of football’s most dominant offensive weapons during his early years in the league, the 26-year-old saw a steep decline last season. A slower pace and not as dynamic in the open field, Elliott is averaging a low of 4.0 yards per carry behind an injury-ravaged offensive line. In addition, he has scored the fewest total touchdowns (eight) in his five-year career. While Dak Prescott’s injury obviously had a drastic effect on the Dallas offense, the team’s top running back has undoubtedly been below expectations.

At this point, Elliott needs to bounce back with a big 2021 campaign if he plans to play the rest of his contract with the Cowboys.

Ezekiel Elliott’s offseason changes could save his Cowboys career

Think the sixth-grade pro understands what’s at stake? With critics calling his production a disappointment, Elliott has taken some serious action this offseason to get his career back on track.

So what did the Triple Pro Bowler do differently?

According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Elliott has done something for the first time in his career: he trained with a personal running back trainer. Josh Hicks helped him work on short-zone speed, a key part of any skill player’s game.

“I think it’s definitely something I had to work on,” Elliott said. “It’s definitely something I needed to improve, so I went to the lab and got better.”

In addition to working with Hicks, the Cowboys running back also relied on the help of his personal chef to take care of his nutrition. Elliott’s dedication to his diet got him back to his college weight of 218 pounds.

“I heard that as you got older in this league you wanted to start losing weight and nutrition played a big role in that,” Elliott said. “Thanks to my chef, Chef Hoppie, for preparing me well and preparing me for the season. I feel good where I am.

Can Dallas become an elite attack in 2021?

Focusing on improving his conditioning and speed over the past few months, Elliott has been able to remind everyone why the Cowboys selected him among a number of future stars in the draft. of the 2016 NFL. At his best, the 6-foot, 228-pound backer can dominate defenses with his special blend of size, speed and power. Additionally, Elliott can make an impact in the passing game through his receiving skills.

If the work he put in during the offseason pays off, Dallas should field one of the best offenses in the NFL. After all, if defenses are to worry about Elliott cutting them to the ground, it will open up playing and deep-ball opportunities for Prescott and the talented receiving trio of Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb.

Of course, Elliott and the other talented Cowboys players need help from the offensive line. But with Tyron Smith and La’el Collins back to good health, and with promising second-year center Tyler Biadasz lined up alongside All-Pro right guard Zack Martin, Dallas should start bullying opponents on the line of scrimmage again.

For the sake of the Cowboys, I hope their defense will also take a huge step forward in 2021. Otherwise, even a 2,000-yard season from Ezekiel Elliott won’t be enough to bring Dallas back to the playoffs.

All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference. All contractual data is courtesy of Spotrac.

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