Ezekiel Elliott

Mutual Interest Between Cowboys, Ezekiel Elliott In Reunion?

March 30th, 2024 at 6:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

Earlier this week, a report named both Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook as running backs interested in a deal with the Cowboys. In the case of the former, that feeling appears to be mutual.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Elliott and the Cowboys “have mutual interest in a reunion.” The former No. 4 pick began his career in Dallas, spending seven years with the team. Over the early portion of that span, he was one of the league’s dominant running backs; Elliott led the NFL in rushing in 2016 and ’19, and he earned three Pro Bowl invites in the first four years of his career.

Over time, though, the Ohio State product saw his efficiency begin to wane. The emergence of Tony Pollard led to a backfield committee, with Elliott serving as a short-yardage option toward the end of his Dallas tenure. Last offseason, he was released in a move which came as little surprise (although talk of a reduced deal was prevalent during the offseason, an agreement in that regard never came close to fruition).

Elliott ultimately joined the Patriots on an incentive-laden one-year deal. The 28-year-old posted a career-worst 3.5 yards per carry average in New England, a figure which resulted in a new personal low in rushing production (642 yards). He did post a team-leading 51 receptions, though, showcasing his continued ability as a pass-catching option out of the backfield.

Dallas kept Pollard on the franchise tag for 2023, and he was among the many running backs who found a new home very early in free agency this offseason. While the Cowboys have since re-signed Rico Dowdle, the team is in need of a backfield addition either in the secondary wave of free agency or next month’s draft. Elliott would fit the bill as a familiar and experienced back alongside Dowdle and 2023 sixth-rounder Deuce Vaughn, though other options will be available (particularly with respect to rookies next month).

No other teams have been connected to Elliott so far, a sign of his market value coming off a down season in New England. His age and declining production will certainly hurt the value of his next contract, but it would certainly be noteworthy if it came from the Cowboys.

Cowboys To Make RB Addition; Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook Interested In Deal?

March 28th, 2024 at 9:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

With Tony Pollard no longer in the picture, the Cowboys are an obvious candidate to draft a running back next month. A veteran signing before then would come as little surprise, though, and a pair of high-profile names could be eyeing a Dallas agreement.

When speaking at the league meetings, head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo) Dallas will be making at least one addition at the RB spot. The Cowboys retained Rico Dowdle, who finished second on the team in rushing yards last season. Dallas also has 2023 sixth-rounder Deuce Vaughn in the backfield, but an experienced option would be a welcomed addition to take the place of Pollard.

Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports both Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook “have interest in potentially signing” with the Cowboys. In the former’s case, a deal would of course represent a reunion. Elliott spent his first seven seasons with Dallas, twice leading the league in rushing during that span. His efficiency began to wane over time, though, and by the end of his Cowboys stint he was used more as a short-yardage specialist than a true lead back.

The Cowboys, as expected, released the former No. 4 pick last offseason with no guaranteed money remaining on his deal. Elliott signed a one-year pact with the Patriots, and he split time with Rhamondre Stevenson for much of the year. Elliott saw a career-low 184 carries in 2023, and his 3.5 yards per attempt average was also the worst figure of his NFL tenure. Especially in a year which saw several high-end backs quickly land new deals, it comes as no surprise the 28-year-old (who, in fairness, drew trade interest at the deadline) is still on the market.

Cook likewise endured a disappointing season in 2023 after seeing his long-term Vikings tenure come to an end. After being let go by Minnesota, a lengthy free agent process ensued. Cook ultimately joined the Jets, but he struggled to carve out a role alongside Breece Hall in the backfield. New York waived the 28-year-old in January, setting up a brief audition period with the Ravens.

Baltimore used Cook sparingly in the postseason, and with Derrick Henry now in place a re-up with another veteran can be considered unlikely. Plenty of snaps will presumably be available in Dallas for Elliott, Cook or another experienced back looking for a new deal. Dallas would of course still be expected to use a Day 2 or 3 pick on a back during the draft even with a veteran signing, but with $6.7MM in cap space the team can afford a low-cost addition at the position.

AFC Injury Roundup: Steelers, Stevenson, Titans

December 3rd, 2023 at 7:38pm CST by Ely Allen

This has been a typical rally year for the Steelers. Anytime things look less than ideal in a season for Pittsburgh, the team tends to pick things up and lead head coach Mike Tomlin to yet another winning season. They have done so this year as a bend-but-don’t-break defense has buoyed a struggling offense to a 7-5 record. That task will likely be getting a bit more difficult with the injury news concerning starting quarterback Kenny Pickett.

According to Brooke Pryor of ESPN, Pickett sustained a right ankle injury while trying to push for the endzone today and was forced to sit out the remainder of the game. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the injury is “not good” and that Pickett “will be out for an extended period.”

Pickett was replaced in today’s loss by backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Trubisky was able to score a touchdown in relief of Pickett but was unable to lead the team to victory after inheriting a tie game on the one-yard line. Tomlin made it clear that if Pickett is unable to go, which if Dulac is correct sounds like it will be the case, Trubisky will serve as the team’s starter.

With the Steelers facing a short week before hosting the Patriots, Pickett likely won’t have time to make a quick comeback, especially if the injury is “not good.” Expect Trubisky to lead the Pittsburgh offense this Thursday night.

Here are a few other injury updates from around the AFC, starting with another note from the Steel City:

Steelers starting safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who returned to the field today for the first time since October, was forced to leave the game for a period with a broken left hand, per Pryor. The break reportedly kept him from being able to grab the football, but he was able to cast and wrap the hand during the game’s two weather delays and finish the game with the injury. If the team feels it’s safe, Fitzpatrick may not need to miss any additional time as he can simply play with the cast, as he did today.
Speaking of the Thursday night turnaround, the Patriots are in danger of having to face the Steelers without starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson. Stevenson reportedly sprained his ankle today, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, and will undergo an MRI in order to determine how long he may be sidelined. Even if it’s a fairly minor sprain, the short week looms large for his availability. Backup rusher Ezekiel Elliott could find himself in a bigger role or even starting in Pittsburgh this coming week.
The Titans saw two players suffer scary knee injuries in today’s loss to the Colts. The two players who went down were star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and backup tight end Josh Whyle. While the injuries were enough to sideline each player for a bit, beat writer Paul Kuharsky confirms that neither injury is season-ending.

AFC Trade Rumors: Patriots, Broncos, Renfrow

October 31st, 2023 at 10:15pm CST by Ely Allen

The Patriots fielded lots of calls for trade offers during today’s trade deadline, but two of the bigger names on their roster reportedly received no interest. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, teams called New England to take the temperature on pass rusher Josh Uche, safety Kyle Dugger, and tackle Michael Onwenu, while quarterback Mac Jones and veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott didn’t receive any nibbles.

Uche, Dugger, and Onwenu are all facing contract-years, so they all held a decent chance of being dealt. Uche was reportedly the most likely, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. After a couple quiet years to start his career, Uche burst onto the scene in 2022, combining with Matt Judon for half of the team’s 54 sacks last year. Mike Dugar of The Athletic reports that the Seahawks held serious interest in Uche “with talks going pretty deep,” but ultimately, landed Leonard Williams from New York instead. With Seattle filling their defensive line need with Williams, Uche will remain in New England.

As will, Jones and Elliott. It’s unclear how serious the Patriots were, if at all, about seeking trade partners for the two offensive contributors. The team will face a fifth-round option decision for Jones before next year, while Elliott will become a free agent at the end of the season.

Here are a few other rumors from around the AFC, starting out West:

It was a similar scene up in Mile High, where the Broncos decided not to move any of their potential trade assets due to a lack of serious interest. While the team reportedly did receive offers on players like receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, they didn’t gauge the offers as good enough to move on, per Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. Mike Klis of 9NEWS relayed that the team is “confident in its group of players.” While it seemed the team may be willing to dive into a rebuild, beating a sick Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs may have convinced them otherwise.
Remaining in the West, the Raiders were unable to find a buyer for wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, to little surprise. Las Vegas gave Renfrow a big-money extension after his Pro Bowl season and has diminished his role severely ever since. So far this year, Renfrow has been on the field for over half of the Raiders’ offensive snaps in only three games. According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, the remaining guaranteed money in Renfrow’s contract prevented any teams from fully following through on their interest in the veteran receiver. With Renfrow staying put and the many sources shooting down reports of wide receiver Davante Adams wanting out of Vegas, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Raiders stood pat at the trade deadline.

Teams Calling Patriots On Ezekiel Elliott

October 31st, 2023 at 11:51am CST by Adam La Rose

Sitting at 2-6 on the season, the Patriots are expected to be sellers ahead of this afternoon’s deadline. That has led to a short list of trade candidates emerging, but a new name can now be added to the mix.

Teams are calling New England to inquire about running back Ezekiel Elliott, Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report notes. Interested parties would of course be teams on the lookout for depth additions at the RB spot, a position which is not expected to see much (if any) movement today. Titans All-Pro Derrick Henry is the top backfield prize, but signs have increasingly pointed to him remaining in Tennessee.

Elliott saw his seven-year Cowboys tenure come to an end this offseason, with Dallas making the expected decision of releasing him. That move wiped out the remaining, non-guaranteed years on his deal and began a long-running free agent period. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones declined to fully close the door on a reunion at a much lower rate, but talks on that front never truly took off. Dallas has publicly committed to standing pat with its roster overall, but also the RB position in particular.

Elliott ultimately signed with the Patriots in August. His one-year deal worth up to $6MM is incentive-laden, and any acquiring team would only be on the hook for a prorated portion of his $1.55MM base salary. The 28-year-old has seen a career-low 37% snap share in New England, and that limited usage has produced 260 rushing yards (on an average of 3.9 yards per carry) and a pair of touchdowns. Elliott has eclipsed 36 rushing yards once in eight games.

The Dolphins and Ravens have been named as teams to watch on the RB market, despite their respective success on the ground so far this season. Both 6-2 outfits should nevertheless be considered buyers, and adding Elliott would provide experienced depth ahead of a playoff run. With roughly three hours remaining until the deadline, New England will remain worth watching closely.

Ezekiel Elliott-Cowboys Reunion Did Not Gain Extensive Traction

September 29th, 2023 at 11:35am CST by Sam Robinson

For months, rumors persisted about a potential Cowboys-Ezekiel Elliott reunion. The team did not make a significant addition behind Tony Pollard, with the Ronald Jones move preceding a PED suspension and an eventual release. But Elliott did not appear close to coming back to Dallas.

Ahead of the Patriots’ Week 4 Cowboys matchup, the two-time rushing champion described the talks about a return at a reduced rate as “minimal,” via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. Elliott ended up in New England on a one-year, $3MM contract, one that came together during training camp.

Jerry Jones still hoped Elliott would come back, Machota adds, which points to the the Cowboys making an offer. A report tying Elliott to a league-minimum-level deal surfaced in August. Rumors about an Elliott return came up in late March, late April and mid-June. By August, however, the Cowboys were moving in a different direction. Mike McCarthy said during training camp he did not want Elliott taking reps away from the Cowboys’ contingent of younger backups behind Pollard. Soon after, Zeke signed an incentive-laden deal with the Patriots.

Elliott dead money will remain on Dallas’ books through 2024, with the team using a post-June 1 cut designation to move on in March. The Cowboys are not believed to have submitted a specific pay-cut number to Elliott’s camp prior to the release, which may have complicated a reunion. Elliott, 28, will face his former team Sunday. The new Rhamondre Stevenson backup will enter the Week 4 game with 143 scrimmage yards on 34 touches.

The Cowboys have used Rico Dowdle as Pollard’s top backup. The fourth-year back, who did not log any carries in 2021 or ’22, enters Week 4 with 113 scrimmage yards on 21 touches. Pollard has totaled an NFL-most 24 red zone carries — 10 more than the next-closest player — but is sitting on two rushing touchdowns. The Cowboys used Elliott as their primary goal-line back for seven years; both he and Pollard scored 12 TDs in 2022. Pollard, of course, was far more explosive than Dallas’ starter last season and became the clear priority this offseason.

With Pollard on a $10.1MM franchise tag, the Cowboys were never expected to bring back Elliott at a number close to his original 2023 base salary ($10.9MM). Elliott did well for himself by signing a six-year, $90MM extension in September 2019. Running backs no longer command that kind of money, even as the salary cap has climbed since that deal came to pass. No back has even signed a $10MM-per-year pact since the Browns extended Nick Chubb (three years, $36.6MM) in July 2021.

Patriots To Sign Ezekiel Elliott

August 16th, 2023 at 3:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

AUGUST 16: Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports that Elliott’s base compensation actually consists of $1.55MM in salary and a $600K signing bonus. To no surprise, much of the maximum $6MM value is tied to incentives for availability, playing time and production.

Elliott will earn $50K weekly in roster bonuses, and he can see further payments based on scrimmage yards totals. Bonuses in that regard are staggered at $300K increments, and can reach up to $1.5MM in the unlikely event he records 1,475 yards of offense (which would be his highest total since 2019). Playing time incentives are also included, and they max out at the 70% snap threshold, something Elliott is likewise doubtful to reach serving as Stevenson’s backup. As a result, the three-time Pro Bowler can be expected to see modest earnings in 2023 as he aims to build his 2024 free agent value.

AUGUST 14: The first major domino on the veteran running back market has fallen. Ezekiel Elliott is expected to sign with the Patriots on a one-year deal with a maximum value of $6MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (Twitter link). ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds that the pact includes a base salary of $3MM and a $1MM signing bonus.

For some time now, New England has seemed to be the most logical destination for the former rushing champion. Elliott’s only official visit was with the Patriots, though the team has also shown interest in other veteran backs. The parties will now enter into an agreement as he looks to rebuild his value in a backup role. Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets that New England’s offer had been on the table for a matter of weeks, but it was “tweaked” yesterday.

The Patriots were connected for a stretch with Dalvin Cook, but finances led them to turn their attention to Elliott. Still, the team was believed to have a firm price point in mind which it was not prepared to exceed in a buyer’s market at the RB position. The same reportedly held true for other interested parties. Aside from Elliott, New England also kicked the tires on Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson; the latter two will need to look elsewhere for an opportunity given today’s news.

Elliott saw his seven-year Cowboys tenure come to an expected end when he was released in a cost-shedding move. A return to Dallas to serve as a low-cost compliment to Tony Pollard remained a possibility to varying degrees during the offseason. The most recent update on that front, though, indicated a reunion was unlikely. Elliott, 28, will now join a new NFL team for the first time in his career.

The Patriots saw 2021 fourth-rounder Rhamondre Stevenson emerge as a capable lead back last season. He recorded 1,461 scrimmage yards and six total touchdowns, figures he will aim to replicate in 2023. The team was thin on experience behind Stevenson, though, and Elliott will provide a boost in that regard. The latter averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry last season as he was used increasingly as a short-yardage specialist. Doing so in New England could make him an effective secondary option in the ground game, though he also has considerable starting experience should Stevenson miss time.

Improvements through the air are expected for New England with quarterback Mac Jones entering his third year, new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien in place and a number of alterations having been made to the pass-catching corps. Production in the running game will still be a crucial element of the team’s ability to return to the postseason, however, and Elliott will have a role in that regard. Succeeding in it will help his new team along with his free agent value come next offseason.

Latest On Ezekiel Elliott’s Market

August 11th, 2023 at 5:17pm CST by Ben Levine

The Ezekiel Elliott market appeared to be heating up earlier this month, but the veteran running back remains unsigned. While there haven’t been any reports regarding Elliott’s asking price, his continued free agent status could be tied to underwhelming offers.

According to Mike Giardi of Boston Sports Journal (via Twitter), potential suitors “would prefer to pay the bare minimum” for Elliott’s services. In fact, Giardi hears that one team wants to sign the running back after Week 1 so they can avoid any guarantees. The veteran was tied to a $10.9MM base salary and an untenable $16.72MM cap number in 2023 before he was released by the Cowboys.

Elliott has only had an official visit with the Patriots, but throughout the offseason, teams like the Buccaneers, Eagles, Bengals, and Jets have been tied to the RB. Most recently, we heard that the Cowboys would still consider bringing back their long-time player, although that scenario continues to appear unlikely.

We heard yesterday that despite New England’s $17MM in cap space, the front office has a clear price point that they’re not prepared to surpass. Based on today’s rumblings, it sounds like the Patriots would only be bidding against themselves at this point, assuming they’re willing to bring Elliott in ASAP.

The Patriots hosted Elliott along with several other established backs a few weeks ago, and despite the RB leaving New England without a deal, the organization remains “highly interested” in him. With Damien Harris having left for Buffalo, the Patriots lack established depth behind Rhamondre Stevenson. Based on last night’s preseason game, 2022 fourth-round pick Pierre Strong is currently in the lead for the RB2 spot. The Patriots also gave a look at 2022 sixth-round pick Kevin Harris and former UDFA J.J. Taylor.

Latest On Patriots’ Interest In RBs Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette

August 10th, 2023 at 10:35am CST by Adam La Rose

Much of the attention on the free agent market is aimed at Dalvin Cook, but a number of other veteran running backs remain unsigned. Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette are among them, despite the fact they each visited the Patriots last month.

Elliott has received little interest since his Cowboys release, and a return to Dallas (while still possible) continues to appear unlikely. The Patriots could use the former rushing champion as a high-end backup to Rhamondre Stevenson, and Elliott is believed to be New England’s target rather than Cook in that regard. Finances are a barrier which has yet to be overcome on the Elliott front, however.

Outkick’s Armando Salguero notes that New England has a price point which it is not prepared to surpass to sign Elliott. The Patriots currently have just over $17MM in cap space, so they could afford to outbid a competing team if that becomes necessary. For now, though, they will wait for Elliott to make a decision on his future in the aftermath of an encouraging visit to Foxborough.

The same is not true of Fournette’s trek to New England. Selguero adds that the former Jaguar and Buccaneer’s conditioning was not impressive when he worked out with the Patriots. Fournette dealt with weight issues ahead of last season, one in which he averaged just 3.5 yards per carry and ceded playing time to Rachaad White. In the aftermath of Tom Brady‘s retirement, Fournette asked for and was granted his release from Tampa Bay.

That move has left him on the open market into August, with little interest shown outside of New England. The Patriots have kept their options open regarding a veteran RB addition, having also worked out Darrell Henderson. At the moment, Elliott seems the likeliest move at the position, but the plethora of backs still available certainly makes this a buyer’s market with preseason set to begin around the league.

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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