ESPN: NFL Teams Aren't Overly Eager to Sign Ezekiel Elliott, Veteran RBs to Contract

Free agent running back Ezekiel Elliott, who spent seven seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before being released this offseason, is still looking for a new NFL home.

Regarding that search, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler provided an update on SportsCenter on Saturday morning, noting that the market for veteran running backs has "slowed a little bit" and that teams aren't "overly eager" to sign any of them at this stage of the offseason.

"I was told that Dallas has not shut the door on a potential reunion. They would be open to talks if Ezekiel Elliott wanted to circle back with them and come back to Dallas. I'm told that Elliott has loved his time in Dallas, so certainly something that I wouldn't take off the table. But Elliott is sort of weighing his options and there's been some interest. It's pretty much a waiting game because the running back market has slowed a little bit. Teams aren't overly eager to spend on veterans in early June at that kind of position, so he could wait this out and see what else is out there. The Bucs at one time were looking for some help there, we'll see if they circle back."

Elliott rushed for a career-low 3.8 yards per carry last season while amassing 968 total yards and 12 scores. The three-time Pro Bowler led the NFL in rushing yards in 2016 and 2018.

If Elliott returned to the Cowboys, it's hard seeing him assume any significant role in the backfield.

Tony Pollard served as the clear top back this past season, earning Pro Bowl honors after rushing for 1,007 yards and nine scores (5.2 yards per carry) and catching 39 passes for 371 yards and three more touchdowns.

He suffered an ankle injury during the playoffs against the San Francisco 49ers in January, but he told ESPN's Todd Archer that he'll be good to go for training camp.

Elliott would presumably be in the mix behind Pollard. That group currently includes Malik Davis, Deuce Vaughn, Ronald Jones and Rico Dowdle.

If the Cowboys do shut the door on a return, it's unclear which team will sign Elliott at this time.

Elliott reportedly narrowed his interest list to the Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets in March, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Connor Hughes of SNY clarified the link between the Jets and Elliott:

It's certainly possible that Elliott can link up with a team in training camp or during preseason as franchises get a better gauge of their running back rooms, and he could also be an addition to a team that needs to add a player due to injury.

The 2022 season may not have gone particularly well for Elliott, but he's still productive and capable of filling a gap on the depth chart.