Bill Belichick Excited for Ezekiel Elliott‘s Impact on New England Patriots’ Offense
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick expressed his enthusiasm for the addition of running back Ezekiel Elliott to the team’s offense. Belichick recently spoke to the media during a press conference, stating that he had a positive meeting with Elliott and is looking forward to working with him.
While Belichick welcomed Elliott to the Patriots, he also admitted that he is unsure how the running back will fit into the team’s offensive scheme. When asked about the potential contributions Elliott could make, Belichick simply replied, Well, we’ll see.
It seems unlikely that the Patriots will expect Elliott to immediately reach the level of performance he achieved in 2016 when he was named First-Team All-Pro and led the league in rushing yards. Instead, Belichick is likely to rely on rookie running back Rhamondre Stevenson, whom the team drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Belichick has expressed his admiration for Stevenson, and it appears that he will be a significant part of the Patriots’ running back rotation.
Belichick mentioned that he and Elliott spent time going over the team’s playbook together. They specifically focused on the different line protections, schemes, and terminology that the Patriots utilize, which may differ from what Elliott was accustomed to during his time with the Dallas Cowboys.
On August 13, it was reported by the NFL that Elliott signed a one-year contract with the Patriots worth up to $6 million. The financial breakdown of the contract reveals various incentives tied to performance, including bonuses for reaching certain yardage and snap count milestones.
Last season, the Patriots heavily utilized Stevenson, giving him 66 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. His production accounted for 57 percent of the team’s total rushing yards, making him a valuable asset. Furthermore, James White, a former Patriots running back, praised Stevenson and believes that he and Elliott could form a dynamic duo in the backfield.
While the Dallas Cowboys released Elliott earlier this year after a career-low rushing yardage season, he is still considered a proven veteran who can contribute to the Patriots’ offense. Although he may not replicate his early career success, Elliott has the potential to be a productive back and provide valuable support for Stevenson.
The Patriots’ decision to acquire Elliott was part of their strategy to bolster their backfield and improve their offensive capabilities. As the team continues to integrate Elliott into their system, it remains to be seen how much of an impact he will ultimately have. For now, both Belichick and Patriots fans eagerly anticipate witnessing the synergy between Elliott, Stevenson, and the rest of the team’s offense during the upcoming season.
