The free agent landscape is apparently looking bleak for Ezekiel Elliott.
After being released by the Cowboys in March, the All-Pro running back is looking for a new home – however, NFL GMs reportedly aren’t high on what Elliott can bring to the table these days.
During Tuesday’s installment of “NFL Live,” ESPN NFL reporter Kimberly Martin said after talking to some GMs, there might not be a team suited for Elliott.
“Two things are clear: Zeke wants to win and he wants to be patient, he knows this is a big decision,” Martin said.
“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.”
Elliott — a three-time Pro-Bowler and two-time rushing yards leader — is reportedly willing to take his time in finding a new team.
Cleveland is reportedly in the mix for Elliott’s services, as are the Chargers.
Last season, Elliott split time at the running back position with Tony Pollard, who emerged as the Cowboys’ top option.
Pollard rushed for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games — breaking 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career in a season in which he set a new career-high mark for carries with 193.
While 26-year-old Pollard’s efficiency increased, Elliott saw a dip in production.
He was released a week before the Cowboys put the franchise tag on Pollard in late March.
Elliott’s release was labeled as a “Post June 1 Cut,” which saved Dallas over $11 million on the 2023 salary cap.
Elliott’s numbers, in terms of rushing yards, have dipped over the last few years.
He finished the 2022 season with 876 rushing yards, but still had 12 rushing touchdowns.
The 27-year-old has dealt with various injuries throughout his NFL tenure, including a calf injury, a partial PCL tear, an MCL sprain, two sprained knees and a rib injury.
Elliot, the fourth overall pick by Dallas in the 2016 draft, spent his entire seven-year career with the Cowboys.
He finished his time in Dallas with the third-most rushing yards (8,262), trailing only Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.