Former teammates Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott have been through a lot together since both heard their names called in the 2016 NFL Draft. On Sunday, for the very first time, the former teammates will play against each other as the Cowboys welcome the Patriots to AT&T Stadium.

Ahead of the big game, Prescott opened up about his relationship with Elliott, which he says goes “well beyond” the football field. It all began with the draft and the running back’s lack of a driver’s license when he arrived in DFW eight years ago.

“He didn’t have a license at the time or a car so I think that kind of forced our relationship to grow,” Prescott shared, via DallasCowboys.com. “From there, it wasn’t about where we got picked. For a quarterback and running back coming in the same class, you’re just gonna naturally bond. We learned the offense together, spent time together.”

The duo have talked very little since the season began, but the two can still come together as though nothing has changed.

“At the end of the day, it’s a business,” Prescott said. “I’m blessed that I was able to create those relationships because of this game. I’m blessed for the time we had and it’ll go well beyond our time playing.”

When the Cowboys opted to part ways with Elliott in March, the running back gave his former QB a multi-day heads up to grapple with the news.

“Zeke actually told me,” Prescott revealed. “He called me a few days before it actually happened just giving me a heads up. From that sense, it was just business. Talking different scenarios for him, how to approach before they released him or how they released him.”

Elliott on return to AT&T Stadium: ‘It’s definitely going to be weird”

When Elliott arrives at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, it will be for the first time since Dec. 24, 2022. So much of what he’ll experience inside will be exactly the same as it was, but for him, much will be different. Ahead of the matchup between the Cowboys and Patriots, Elliott explained how “weird” the changes will be for him.

“I don’t know what I’m necessarily expecting,” Elliott said, via the Dallas Morning News‘ Michael Gehlken. “It’s definitely going to be weird, just being in a different uniform, being in a different locker room. But I think it’s going to be a good experience.”

The Cowboys plan to honor their former first-round draft pick with a pre-game ceremony or some acknowledgment of sorts – Jerry Jones is keeping the theatrics under wraps.

“I’m excited for him,” Prescott said. “It’ll be good to see him. That’s like a little brother. Best friend, obviously. We came into this thing together. Grew on the field, off the field. It was awesome. It was unfortunate for him to go to another team, but that’s part of this business. We learned that pretty quick. Happy for him, always pulling for him.”

The Cowboys QB doesn’t expect anything less than Elliott’s best on Sunday afternoon.

“I expect Zeke’s best every time he gets on the field,” Prescott said. “He said it’s gonna be emotional, I can’t imagine that he doesn’t come in and run a little harder than he normally does.”

Kickoff between the Patriots and Cowboys is set for 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX on Sunday.