For the first time in his career, Ezekiel Elliott is a free agent. His release from the Cowboys has left open the possibility of a new deal allowing him to stay in Dallas, but such a development does not appear likely at this point. 
The chances of Elliott playing for the Cowboys again are “slim,” reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Dallas has significant money already invested in the running back position for the coming season with Tony Pollard on the franchise tag. A deal worth far less than the $11MM in salary Elliott was due to make (along with the $16.7MM cap hit he was set to carry on his previous contract) is the only way the 27-year-old could continue his Cowboys career.
Elliott was reportedly willing to take a pay cut to make that possible, and the team has reaffirmed their willingness to keep him him in the fold at the right price. Pollard sits atop the Cowboys’ depth chart after outperforming Elliott in a number of categories, efficiency being the most notable one. The latter averaged 3.8 yards per carry, a figure which contributed to his 876 rushing yards; both statistics were the lowest of his seven-year career.
Florio adds that, in the absence of a Cowboys return, Elliott will eye a deal with a contender. Scheme fit and a team’s commitment to the run game are also, to little surprise, factors which will inform his decision. While successful teams can always use more depth in the backfield, the former top-five pick is surely bound for a depth role wherever he ends up signing this offseason.
The lone team to show reported interest in Elliott so far is the Buccaneers, a team which is undergoing significant change this offseason. Tampa Bay is feeling the effects of their all-in approach with Tom Brady and Co., and they now face a difficult financial situation. Retaining the likes of cornerback Jamel Dean and linebacker Lavonte David has given the NFC South champions a notable degree of continuity on defense, but an investment in a veteran at the RB position would be somewhat surprising.
Presuming Elliott does indeed held elsewhere, running back will become a position of need for the Cowboys either in the latter stages of free agency or the draft. The Ohio State product, meanwhile, would start the second chapter of his NFL career in unfamiliar territory while looking to rebuild his value.
YEAH WE’LL SEE
J.E.T.S. JETS JETS JETS
Who already have a younger and less costly backfield.
they lost James Robinson
They never used James Robinson so they won’t miss him.
Chiefs make sense as a contender without a workhorse RB, good in pass pro, but McKinnon been so good I don’t see it.
Bengals need a backup to Mixon who can block. Maybe but it would for sure have to be after the draft if they don’t land one.
Rams aren’t really a contender and need to draft a good one.
Chargers, bills, ravens make the most sense to me. Ravens seem like the best fit if they let edwards go. I don’t know his contract status.
Rams or Jets would be my guess
As a Jets fan, I would not want Elliot…
but you want Aaron Rodgers washed up bum?
He is not washed up everybody keep saying that. The truth is he had no receivers catching the ball til late
Rodgers has one more great year in him (under right circumstances) and two more good years after that (if not injured). Have to think Belichick will have his guys pop Rodgers hard if he thinks the Patriots have to face Rodgers twice/year for three years otherwise.
Seems like a Miami thing
Buffalo makes the most sense here easily.
They need a RB, Zeke said he was willing to take a pay cut, should want to win a championship. Less competition for a starting spot than other places. Originally from Illinois and played college football in Ohio so slightly closer to home and isn’t afriad of the cold. Gets to travel to Miami twice a year and then shorter trips to New England and New York.
Alternatively, you want to stay in the warm what about Miami. Definitely a busier job getting the starting job but maybe that suits him given his age, maybe he’s happy to share the work load. Great place to live, great locker room filled with big names and personalities.
If you want to win a championship and want to be a starter then Buffalo should be the team you have your heart set on. I know he’s not overly liked but ranks 37th all time in rushing TDs and 43rd in rushing yards. For his legacy he should be looking to add a ring and continue to improve this numbers. He should be aiming for top 15 all time in and around Marshawn Lynch.
I’m trying (unsuccessfully) to remember the last NFL player who declined a multi million dollar payday because he was afraid of the weather.
Who cares
You do enough to comment
I only clicked this article in hopes to not see this douchebag tied to my team in anyway, trust me, I don’t. But I do applaud your very original reply.
I don’t really see anybody making him their feature back, as the decline in his effectiveness was pretty evident last year. But you never know, as there are a lot of bad GMs out there who might think he’ll return to his 2019 form if given a change in scenery/motivation…
Chargers make sense if they trade Ekeler. The efficiency may still get worse, but he’ll get a lot of receptions if he gets even half of Ekeler’s volume.
He’s shot
“The chances of Elliott playing for the Cowboys again are “slim””…only thing “slim” about Zeke.
I would take Zeke on a 1/$3. A la Leonard Fournette in 2020
Elliott is worth more to the Cowboys than any other team in the league. Elliott knows the Cowboys offense. Elliott is best friends with the starting QB.
It would be worth it to the NFC East teams to kneecap the Cowboys to put Elliott on a one year for $4 million contract (overpay but deprives the Cowboys of an important asset). An NFC East competitor GM would have good reason to worry Elliott would still be leaking information to bestie Dak Prescott before the Cowboy games.
The type of intrigue your describing was not uncommon back in the 60s and 70s but game film has made GMs less reliant on spys now (although the old relics like BB don’t mind dabbling in it on occasion).
I can see KC or Philly taking a look see