The running backs are facing more challenges than any other players in the NFL due to their diminishing value in the teams. Top RBs like Ezekiel Elliott are still waiting to find a new home in the league, albeit the recent development signals the former Dallas Cowboys star’s potential land in the New England Patriots team.
After getting released by the Cowboys on March 15 in a salary cap move, Elliott had been staying in free agency for quite a long time. The move allowed the franchise to save nearly $11 million against the 2023 cap. However, after Saquon Barkley’s signing to the New York Giants, the RB too can expect his troubles to end soon.
Is Ezekiel Elliott to the Patriots confirmed?
Ezekiel is set to visit with the Patriots over the weekend and it would be marked as his first visit with a franchise since the Cowboys cut him from their roster in March. The Patriots’ social media handle confirmed the news via Twitter.
Report: Patriots to host RB Ezekiel Elliott: https://t.co/Pp7HXfxWBY
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 29, 2023
According to a report by ESPN’s Ed Werder, Patriots coach Bill Belichick had a direct conversation with the Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones for necessary details about Zeke before inviting him to New England.
The three-time Pro Bowler witnessed a diminishing performance in his career lately after recording a career-low 876 rushing yards in 2022, albeit he managed to score 12 touchdowns and remained a top short-yardage back and pass protector. He has been plagued by injuries over the past two seasons and recorded only 1,000 rushing yards just once in the past three years. Daniel Judgeaport of The Athletic said the Patriots might sign the RB to a one-year deal.
🚨BREAKING🚨
Hearing that Ezekiel Elliott and the New England Patriots are close to finalizing a 1-Year deal per source pic.twitter.com/4wQtwgIiBp
— Daniel Judgeaport (@thejudgedan) July 29, 2023
Ezekiel Elliott’s NFL career highlights
Elliott headed to his NFL career after being selected by the Cowboys with the fourth pick overall in the 2016 NFL draft, marking him the first running back selected in the draft that year. He quickly established himself as a formidable force on the field and got the title of the 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year
In May 2016, the former two-time NFL rushing champion signed a four-year, $24.9 million rookie contract with the Cowboys, including a $16.3 million signing bonus. However, the franchise picked up the fifth-year option on his contract in 2019 and he kept pressuring them for a contract extension. The Dallas team granted his wish by signing him to a six-year extension, worth up to $90 million including $50 million guaranteed to keep him on the roster through the 2026 season.
In 2021, the Cowboys restructured the 28-year-old veteran’s contract by converting $8.6 million of his base salary into a signing bonus, with an aim to save some amount on salary cap space before eventually releasing him this year. He finally bid adieu to his prolonged journey with the team, with the record of 1,881 carries for 8,262 yards and 68 rushing touchdowns while catching 305 passes for 2,336 yards as well as 12 touchdowns.
Which team do you think that Elliott might end up with? You can share your predictions in the comments.
