One team apparently pulls out of Ezekiel Elliott sweepstakes in NFL free agency

Ezekiel Elliott

It was noted recently that free agent running back Ezekiel Elliott had narrowed down potential landing spots to three teams with a decision expected late this week.

That list included the Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets. It now seems as if this was more of a wish list on the part of the former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowler.

According to Connor Hughes of SNY, the Jets don’t have interest in signing Elliott at this stage in the offseason.

New York’s link to Elliott made some sense in that the team should be acquiring future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers at some point soon. Getting another veteran in the backfield to go with stud youngster Breece Hall would seem like a good fit. Alas, it’s highly unlikely going to play out that way.

Elliott, 27, was released by Dallas earlier this offseason in a cost-cutting move. The three-time Pro Bowl back has regressed in recent seasons after starting out his career in emphatic fashion.

Ezekiel Elliott stats (2020-22): 712 attempts, 2,857 yards, 4.0 average, 28 TD

From 2016-19, Elliott tallied north of 5,400 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns at a clip of 4.6 yards per rush. This past season saw him put up a career low 876 rushing yards. He’s simply not the same player we saw earlier in the running back’s career.

Despite this, contending teams should have some sort of interest in Elliott’s short-yardage ability. He still scored 12 touchdowns on the ground a season ago in Big D.

With New York likely out of the running, attention turns to the Eagles. Some of their star players have already been recruiting Ezekiel Elliott. It would be the latest installment in the NFL’s strange bedfellow’s series in that Elliott spent the first seven season of his career with Philadelphia’s most bitter rival.

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