Former Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott appears to have limited options in the NFL free agency market, as concerns about his declining performance have emerged.
Elliott got drafted by the Cowboys as the fourth overall choice in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft and quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier running backs, gathering a streak of over 100 yards per game since his 2nd week in national football.
He put an end to his rookie season as the NFL’s leading rusher with 1,631 yards and became the youngest player to surpass the 1,600 yards mark.
NFL GMs believe the Cowboys All-Pro RB Ezekiel Elliot Has ‘Lost A Step’
ESPN’s NFL reporter Kimberly Martin reported on Tuesday’s installment of “NFL Live” shed light on the former Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott’s current condition, saying he wants to maintain patience with his big decision after being released by Dallas.
“Two things are clear: Zeke wants to win and he wants to be patient, he knows this is a big decision,” she said.
Martin cited having a conversation with some NFL GMs and no one was optimistic about the two-time rushing yards leader, hence, he might not find a new destination soon.
“However, talking to GMs this morning as well, the market that Zeke wants just may not be there. They think he can be productive but that he’s lost a step”, she added.
Multiple NFL GMs believe that former Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott has "lost a step."
The free agent might not find a new home soon: "The market that Zeke wants just may not be there.", per @ByKimberleyA pic.twitter.com/DPVN4YzVTk
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 17, 2023
Some sources earlier disclosed the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers would be the 27-year-old’s next home, however, there is no further development regarding the rumor.
After bursting onto the scene as a dominant force in his early years with the Cowboys, Zeke’s production has steadily declined in recent seasons. His once-explosive running style and ability to break tackles have reduced to the lowest in 2022, averaging only 3.8 yards per carry on his way to 876 rushing yards.
The poor performance from the team’s led Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, one of his biggest cheerleaders, to questions about his long-term viability as a starting running back.
The veteran RB’s free agency options may be restricted due to concerns over his declining performance, however, with his proven track record and potential for a resurgence, he may still find a team willing to take a chance on his talent.
It remains unclear which franchise will come forward to provide Elliott with a fresh new opportunity and whether he can regain his stride in a new environment.
