The free agent market has been wholly unwelcome for running backs ahead of the 2023 season. That includes former Cowboys three-time Pro Bowler Ezekiel Elliott.
Elliott, whom the Cowboys released on March 15, still has not found a new team to call home. A March 23 report suggested he had narrowed his free agency options to the Eagles, Bengals or Jets, and that he wanted to narrow down which team to sign with by the end of that week.
In hindsight, that appeared overly optimistic. And, even as Elliott recently visited with the Patriots, he remains unsigned. But at least one team is purportedly open to the possibility: the Cowboys.
MORE: NFL running back contract issues, explained
Ezekiel Elliott free agent rumors
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Tuesday told Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan he is still keeping tabs on the No. 4 overall pick from the 2016 NFL Draft, and that the possibility of re-signing him hasn't been dismissed. Per The Athletic's Jon Machota:
Should Elliott return to Dallas, it would be on a significantly less lucrative contract than the six-year, $90 million extension he signed in 2019. He likely would serve as a backup — or perhaps a co-starter — alongside Tony Pollard, who signed his $10.091 million franchise tag for the 2023 season.
Elliott was designated as a post-June 1 cut and released to provide salary cap relief to the team. The Cowboys have since signed All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs to an extension, though the team must plan similar deals down the line for guard Zack Martin and EDGE Micah Parsons.
Another factor in a potential return for Elliott is his diminishing productivity on the field. He experienced career-lows in 15 games played in 2022, including carries (231), rushing yards (876), yards per carry (3.8), receptions (19), receiving yards (92) and yards from scrimmage (968).
MORE: Best fits, landing spots for big-name NFL free agent RBs
An Elliott return to the Cowboys was reported as "unlikely" in May, but perhaps the diminishing value for top-tier running backs could make him rethink the decision. Free agents Leonard Fournette, Kareem Hunt and Dalvin Cook — who is widely expected to sign with the Jets — are all still available.
The issue has raised concerns and consternation alike among players at the position, including those still signed with their teams. The Giants' Saquon Barkley and Raiders' Josh Jacobs failed to reach long-term deals by the deadline for franchise-tagged players, though the former has since agreed to a one-year deal that could potentially be more lucrative than playing on the tag.
It remains to be seen whether they or any other backs will be paid the way they feel they should. Regardless, any return by Elliott to the Cowboys would likely come with a significantly reduced price tag — another note in running backs' ongoing frustration at their value.