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Latest On RBs Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook

August 6th, 2023 at 11:45am CST by Adam La Rose

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.

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