A number of notable names remain on the open market into August, especially at the running back position. The futures of both Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook remain uncertain, despite the overlapping interest shown in them in some cases. 
Elliott has been available since his expected Cowboys release, but he has not seen much of a market after his career-worst performance in 2022. A reunion in Dallas has been floated on a number of occasions during the offseason, with owner Jerry Jones publicly keeping the door open to a deal at a highly reduced rate. The latest reports on the matter, however, pointed to Dallas focusing more on its younger options behind franchise-tagged starter Tony Pollard.
In spite of that, Jeff Howe of The Athletic notes that the Cowboys are still in the running to re-acquire Elliott (subscription required). The team which appears more likely to sign the former rushing champion, though, remains the Patriots. New England hosted Elliott – after conversations between Bill Belichick and Stephen Jones – as one of several established backs they have kicked the tires on, and Howe reports the team is still “highly interested” in him. A agreement sending Elliott to New England would come as much less of a surprise than one with Cook.
The latter has been connected to every AFC East team except the Bills this offseason, including passing interest shown by the Patriots. Howe adds that New England is “almost certainly not going in that direction” with respect to signing the ex-Vikings starter. Cook’s only free agent visit to date has been with the Jets, a team which (like the Patriots) already has an established No. 1 option in the backfield.
The situation is different regarding the Dolphins, but they are not believed to view Cook, a Miami native, as a necessity. That could point Cook back in the direction of the Jets, a team which is in win-now mode as the Aaron Rodgers era is set to begin. Cook is thought to be looking for guaranteed money across two seasons, but no team has appeared enthusiastic about making such a commitment. Elliott, likewise, is unlikely to secure any long-term deal while being brought in to serve as a high-end backup.
Elliott’s and Cook’s fates are not doubt linked, and the RB dominoes will likely fall in quick succession once one makes a decision on their next landing spot. The Cowboys, Patriots and Jets are among the teams to watch closely, but there is still little clarity with respect to how willing those clubs, and others, are to make a sizeable commitment at the position.
I love how every Dou*** Bag with a computer keeps thinking the Bears need one of these pathetic whiners just because they have cap space. The Bears have an excellent stable of RB’s signed at reasonable salaries and the best one might end up being Roschon Johnson. Herbert and Foreman are a solid 1-2 punch and Johnson and Homer make great 3rd down backs for this year. Ebner looks more and more like practice squad material. Now that the Bears have Lewis for a blocking TE not sure what the love affair is with Blasingame but I guess Getsy likes to have a FB around even though they’re supposed to be going more 3 WR sets. I guess we’ll see how it works out. I’m really looking forward to seeing the pre-season games.
Good comments but I think Dalvin Cook makes them a contender. Not sure Herbert, Foreman, or Johnson swings the needle.
Walter Payton wouldn’t swing the needle if the Bears continue to have a 29th ranked defense.
They drafted DL and CBs, signed FA LBs. I’d say they move up to 18-23 overall defense. They’re a young defense and should improve as the season goes on.
If anyone thinks the Bears need a RB, they don’t know the roster at all.
How are you gonna go talking about Bears RBs and not mention Fields
Don’ta Foreman might be the best bargain RB of the year. So many RBs taken early in free agency for tons of money Foreman didn’t get. He worked his tail off last season. And will be a great addition to that backfield. I’d say they are set. Not sure how the depth pieces will look though
Why is Zeke a whiner?
Great call on Roschon Johnson Uncle Mike!
I definitely thought he was capable of going alot earlier in the draft, and I think the Bears got a steal getting him in the latter part of the 4th Round.
It might take him some time to pass up Herbert and Foreman for his fair share of touches, but I think he’ll definitely earn himself some opportunities this year, and could be their feature back by next season.
If he is given the chance, I’m looking for him to have a real coming out party during their pre-season games. I don’t think it’ll be very long before he makes an impression on their coaching staff.
Anyways, like I said, great call man, I couldn’t agree more!
Who’s the Steelers starting RB?
Jerome Bettis
But Le’Veon Bell is expecting a call any day now…lol.
Najee Harris….I’ve heard he’s pretty good. Lol
All jokes aside though, idk what they’re going to do if he gets hurt for any extended amount of time. I know Jaylen Warren broke out for them last year, and averaged 5 ypc, but idk if he could consistently sustain that over time. Due to his numbers some fans were even trying to have him take over for Najee, all I got to say is they better be careful what they wish for!!
Just because backups perform well in small sample sizes, it does NOT always translate to them starting with a much heavier workload.
Take Dallas for example, I completely understand why Pollard is now their number one guy, but he’s really an unknown for them. No one knows whether his body is going to be able to hold up over the course of a full season with him carrying a starters workload, and especially with him also being asked to catch passes put of the backfield as well.
Dallas is taking a bit of a risk, but in their case it was definitely the right risk to take. I just think they should have come to camp with a better backup option just in case Pollard wears down or gets hurt…
I guess the comeback to this is, if he didn’t get killed in his rookie season here—when he, the ball and the entire defensive line often met in the Steelers backfield at the same time—he’s a pretty strong kid. And truthfully, it was more of the same during the first half of last season when the Steelers played against strong teams
Warren is a nice back up and hits holes quickly but he’s generally not the kind of guy whose size can withstand a season’s worth of pounding. Now they’re pointing at McFarland as the next in line and he’s even smaller
But with the contracts Cook, Zeke and Josh Jacobs would command, they’re not going to land here after an off season of a great many free agent pick ups.
Have to hope Najee stays healthy, and that the OC devises plays that him occasionally trying to bust it outside instead of the hard-headed approach of continually running him into the line
Seahawks? Just scoop up Zeke and let’s give him achance!
Seahawks backfield is loaded. Actually, one of their backs will likely get picked up by another team when he doesn’t make their roster.
McIntosh is in danger of missing their roster, and he’s an excellent receiving back. He came out of college with the best RB receiving grades from this class, and they were actually some of the best grades ever for a RB.
Don’t be at all surprised to see him get poached if they try to sneak him onto their PS. Personally, I think all of a sudden his recent injury might become alot more serious than they originally first thought, and I think they sneak him onto their IR, so then he can come back later on if one of their other RBs gets hurt…
Elliott knows how to find the end zone, but only from less than 4 yards away.
Cook still has some good football left while Elliot hasn’t shown flash in years