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Ezekiel Elliott, former Ohio State RB, reportedly down to 3 teams in NFL free agency
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Ezekiel Elliott is inching closer to finding his next home in the NFL.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the former Ohio State and Dallas Cowboys running back has narrowed down his next location to 3 teams. In the running for the 3-time Pro Bowler services include the Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets.
Per Schefter, Elliott, 27, is expected to decide before the end of the week.
Cowboys’ RB Ezekiel Elliott has narrowed down his options about where to play to the Eagles, Jets and Bengals, and he would like to make his decision about where to sign by the end of next week, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 23, 2023
Drafted 4th overall in 2016, Elliott was released earlier this month following a 7-year run as the NFC East franchise’s No. 1 back. Last season, Elliott regressed in terms of total yards(876) and yards per play (3.8).
Elliott would likely fight for starting reps with all 3 franchises. Despite the departure of lead back Miles Sanders, the Eagles added former Seattle Seahawks 1st-round pick Rashaad Penny on a 1-year deal. Philadelphia also has Kenneth Gainwell and re-signed Boston Scott.
The Bengals still have leading rusher Joe Mixon in the fold after a productive 2022 season. Should Elliott join the AFC North franchise, he likely would replace Samaje Perrine, who signed a 1-year deal this offseason with the Denver Broncos.
The Jets might provide the best chance for Elliott to see meaningful reps. While New York drafted Breece Hall in the 2nd round of last year’s draft, he’ll be coming off a torn ACL. And while the Jets have both Zonovan Knight and Michael Carter on the roster, the duo combined for 702 yards and 4 TDs in place of the former All-American.
One thing could be a determining factor for Elliott is a jersey number. On Thursday, Elliott tweeted: “I want my #15 back,” referring to the number he wore at Ohio State
Cole Thompson is a freelance writer for Saturday Tradition who has covered college football and the NFL for multiple websites. Thompson is currently based in Houston, Texas, and also can be heard daily on SportsMap National Radio's 'Just Sayin It' from 3am-6am.