Before the season, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott said he was aiming to break Eric Dickerson’s NFL rookie record of 1,808 rushing yards. But now that Elliott is looking like he has a real shot at the record, he says it’s not on his mind.
Elliott told reporters stats have never been his focus.
“Honestly, I never started talking about Eric Dickerson’s record, you guys did,” Elliott said. “So you guys made that a story, but it’s honestly not something I’m very focused on. I’m focused on going out and winning ballgames. Focused on getting better with the team every week.”
For the record, Elliott did start talking about Dickerson’s record, telling reporters he had approached Dickerson at an event and told him he planned to top his 33-year-old mark. But now that Elliott is close to record pace, he says he isn’t thinking about whether he can do it.
“I don’t know,” Elliott said.
With 546 yards through five games, Elliott is on pace to finish the season with 1,747 yards, falling just behind Dickerson’s rookie record of 1,808. Elliott is also on pace for 16 rushing touchdowns, which would be the second-best for a rookie as well, behind Dickerson’s 18. Breaking those records would be an impressive achievement, even if it’s one Elliott isn’t thinking about now.