Mike McCarthy spills thoughts on Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard

It goes without saying that RB Ezekiel Elliott is among the most important factors in the offensive attack for the Dallas Cowboys. But of course, he's not the only weapon at their disposal, as fellow RB Tony Pollard has been making a name for himself. 

So, who will be the No. 1 RB for Dallas heading into the 2022 season that kicks off this weekend? Head coach Mike McCarthy declined to answer, instead complimenting both players. 

“Oh I think they both hold their own,” McCarthy said, via ProFootballTalk. “I look at both of those guys as No. 1 runners, or however you want to categorize it. Tony can play. I think when you look at running backs — I know how I define them — (it’s about) their ability to play on all three downs, and Zeke and Tony both have that ability. Zeke’s done it his whole career. So I think they’re definitely a tandem and that’s obviously a focal point for us.”

Elliott is under contract through 2026, and will be the highest paid player in the NFL at the position next season with a salary cap hit of $18.2 million. He finished the 2021 season rushing for 1,002 yards and 10 touchdowns on 237 carries, all while playing through a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament.

Meanwhile, Pollard racked up 719 yards rushing with two touchdowns plus 39 catches for 337 yards last season, while also ranking third on the team behind Elliott and CeeDee Lamb in total yards from scrimmage.