Once free agency hit, the Dallas Cowboys decided that they just couldn't continue the financial commitment to running back Ezekiel Elliott who was set to make $10.4 million in 2023.

The production of Elliott lately hasn't matched that type of price tag and Dallas finally handed the reigns over to Tony Pollard who led the team with 1,007 yards last season. Also, the Cowboys re-signed Rico Dowdle, brought in veteran Ronald Jones, and drafted Duece Vaughn. 

This hasn't stopped others from feeling like the Cowboys should have a reunion with Elliott, at a cheaper price and in more of a short-yardage role of course. However, according to Jane Slater of NFL Network, don't hold your breath on that happening.

"It sounds like as much as I know a lot of guys in the locker room would love Ezekiel Elliott to come back it just doesn't seem like there's a lot of smoke here," Slater said on Monday.

Pollard suffered a broken leg in the Cowboys' playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but he is on track to be ready for the season and currently doesn't have any limitations according to him. Plus the potential of Vaughn as a playmaker with his speed can't be denied, and Malik Davis, who has shown flashes, can't be slept on either. 

Besides Pollard's $10.1 million salary for the upcoming season due to him signing his franchise tag, all the other options for the Cowboys at the running back position are extremely cheap, and if the Cowboys get valuable production out of them, that's a major win.

"I think they've got a lot of questions they still have to address at camp, but they're not willing to necessarily backpedal and re-sign Elliott Elliott here.

Elliott returning to the Cowboys is a nice thought and all. However, unless there's some big-time injury before the season, the ship has likely sailed on Elliott being with the Cowboys again. 

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Feature image via Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports