(Foxborough) Running back Ezekiel Elliott is officially heading to the AFC after signing a free agent contract with the New England Patriots.

The team confirmed the news on Wednesday. A person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that the seven-year veteran is joining the Patriots on a one-year contract worth $4 million. Performance bonuses could increase his salary to 6 million.

On Wednesday morning, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick told reporters that Elliott was with the team for his two days of joint practice with the Green Bay Packers. His participation in the Patriots’ next preseason game is yet to be determined.

The 28-year-old Elliott had over 8,000 rushing yards with the Cowboys and scored 68 touchdowns. He led the NFL in rushing yards in 2016 and 2018. The star running back also had 2,300 receiving yards and 12 majors.

Elliott’s yards-per-game average has dropped in every season of his career, a trend that partly reflects the declining use of running backs in the NFL since the Cowboys selected him fourth overall. 2016 draft.

Elliott is expected to complement running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who should be the Patriots’ main option in the backfield.

The Patriots struggled in short-range situations last season, an area in which Elliott excels despite reduced overall production at the end of his stint in Dallas.