Reports: Ezekiel Elliott Is Down To Choosing Between Three Teams
Ezekiel Elliott, a former running back for the Dallas Cowboys, has decided to play for the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, or Cincinnati Bengals in 2023, according to sources who spoke to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
According to the reports, Elliott, 27, wants to decide where to sign by the end of the next week.
Reports: Ezekiel Elliott Is Down To Choosing Between Three Teams
He’ll probably wear a different number than the No. 21 he’s worn for the Cowboys for the previous seven seasons when he does play for a new team. Elliott tweeted on Thursday, alluding to the number he wore at Ohio State, “I want my #15 back.”
This is my favorite Ezekiel Elliott moment. I was at this game. Dress rehearsal preseason game. Seattle’s LOB was talking all week about welcoming Zeke to the NFL. Zeke smacked that man in the mouth. Legend. https://t.co/TE59Q3fPjD pic.twitter.com/wTHEYoelym
— Ernie The Cowboys Fan (@es3_09) March 15, 2023
Elliott would join the Eagles‘ running back group, which already featured Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell, and Trey Sermon in addition to freshly acquired Rashaad Penny. Last year’s leading rusher for the Eagles, Miles Sanders, left in free agency and signed with the Carolina Panthers.
Ezekiel Elliott had an amazing tenure with the #Cowboys:
– 10,598 total yards
– 72 total touchdowns
– 80.2 yards per game
– 2x Rushing Title
– 3x Pro Bowler
– 1x All-ProIn 2016, Zeke and Dak came to Dallas and rejuvenated a Cowboys franchise and fanbase that needed hope. pic.twitter.com/LTL2GaMT7m
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) March 15, 2023
Elliott would join the Jets‘ depth chart, which is headed by Breece Hall, who is making a full recovery from an ACL tear sustained last season. According to a source who spoke with Schefter on Thursday, the Jets also decided to re-sign Ty Johnson for a single season and have Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight on the roster.
This would be a crazy #Jets Lineup:
QB Aaron Rodgers
RB Ezekiel Elliott
RB Breece Hall
WR Garrett Wilson
WR Allen Lazard
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
WR Mecole Hardman
WR Randall Cobb
TE Tyler Conklin
TEC.J. Uzomah
TE Mercedes Lewis pic.twitter.com/H11XPebKPW— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 24, 2023
If Elliott were to join the Bengals, he’d join a squad led by Joe Mixon and including Chris Evans and Trayveon Williams. Samaje Perine left in free agency to sign with the Denver Broncos.
I want my #15 back
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) March 23, 2023
Elliott was let go by the Cowboys on March 15, and his $16.7 million salary was scheduled to count against the team’s salary cap.
Elliott received a six-year agreement for $90 million in 2019, which included $50 million in guaranteed money. But, his performance dropped significantly during the following three seasons, and he only reached 1,000 yards (1,002) in 2021, when the league switched to a 17-game schedule.
I’m told as of right now the Eagles have not engaged in conversations with Ezekiel Elliott about joining the team and are happy with the running backs they have right now.
It seems the Eagles, Bengals, Jets are a wish list for Ezekiel Elliott and where he would like to play. pic.twitter.com/p6eZbZQBKA
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) March 23, 2023
Elliott has been hindered the last two years by injuries. He didn’t miss a game in 2021 despite having a partly ruptured posterior cruciate ligament. He only missed two games in 2022 due to a right knee hyperextension, although he spent the most of the season in a brace.
Cowboys to release RB Ezekiel Elliott. (via @RapSheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/DuRApvbHTR
— NFL (@NFL) March 15, 2023
Elliott had a career-low 876 rushing yards in 2022, but he scored 12 touchdowns and remained a top short-yardage back and pass protector. But in the final four regular-season games, he averaged just 2.7 yards per carry, and he had just 17 runs of 10 yards or more on the season.
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