In his first two seasons in the league, Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott has proven to be one of the talents in the league at his position. He has quickly become a bonafide star in Dallas that the franchise could build the offense around for the next decade.

However, his play on the field was sidetracked with a serious ordeal in his personal life involving the potential involvement in domestic violence that led to him being suspended by the league for six games last season. According to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News, it is something that owner Jerry Jones strongly believes that Elliott can learn from and stay out of trouble moving forward in his career.

“You can only do so much” Jones said. “These are grown men. I have a lot of confidence that Zeke has learned a lot. Hopefully he has. Because if he has and he changes his behavior and he’s able to stay on the field, we all know he can be one of the greatest to ever play the game, if he takes care of himself and takes care of his business off the field. I think Zeke wants that. He’s a competitor. I think he wants to be one of the best.

“He certainly knows that he’s got to take care of business too. We’ve had great players that have had to do better before. Michael [Irvin] will tell you that he had to learn valuable lessons. But he turned out to be a Hall of Famer.

“I think if Zeke will pay attention and do the right things off the field and be responsible then he can certainly have an amazing career.”

Ezekiel Elliott, cowboys
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Article Continues Below
More NFL News
Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh looks on during offseason workouts at The Bolt.
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh’s ‘heart-stopping’ statement will pump up fansAlex House ·
Indianapolis Colts General Manager Chris Ballard speaks to the press in a pre-draft press conference.
Colts’ Chris Ballard, Shane Steichen get strong directive from Carlie Irsay-GordonJosh Davis ·
Bengals 2025 draft pick Shemar Stewart (97).
Bengals’ Shemar Stewart’s message to fickle fans amid contract standoffJosh Davis ·
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws a pass in the third quarter of a 2025 AFC divisional round game against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
Why Bills’ Josh Allen would ‘love’ to play Flag Football in OlympicsAlex House ·
Philadelphia Eagles Kelee Ringo (7) during OTAs at NovaCare Complex.
Eagles Insider names 2 biggest minicamp starsMatty Breisch ·
Coach Sean McDermott in the middle, Maxwell Hairston, Landon Jackson, Deone Walker all beside each other, Buffalo Bills logo in the background
3 Bills veterans whose roles will be pushed by rookies in 2025Enzo Flojo ·

Elliott certainly has the talent to put together a Hall of Fame-worthy career, it just a matter of him getting better with his decision making off the field. He has made several questionable choices that put him and the organization in the spotlight for unnecessary reasons.

The 22-year-old has a crucial role in the Cowboys' long-term future and has established himself as arguably the most important piece of the puzzle on offense. He had shown that invaluable worth in the 10 games that he did play last season rushing for 983 yards for seven touchdowns and recorded 26 catches for 286 receiving yards a pair of touchdowns.

It is simply on Elliott to make the right choices both on and off the field for the betterment of not only himself but of the franchise he plays for in the NFL. His future in the league rests solely in his hands from this point onward.