Schefter: Ezekiel Elliott 'Can Always Go Back to' Cowboys, Patient on FA Contract

While veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott remains a free agent, there's reportedly a chance that he returns to the Dallas Cowboys.

ESPN's Adam Schefter stated on Tuesday's episode of NFL Live that Elliott is in no rush to sign with a new team while hoping for a big-money contract, but a reunion with Dallas is not off the table:

"The Cowboys would welcome and embrace him. I think Zeke keeps waiting to see if there's an opportunity that shakes loose, if there's some team out there that's willing to bring him in and pay him. There's no rush for him, he can always go back to Dallas. So I think he's waiting to see if something else materializes, while the Dallas Cowboys would be open to bringing him back, where he would make sense in that offense."

Elliott was released by the Cowboys in March due in large part to his hefty contract, as he was set to count for a $16.7 million cap hit this season. Dallas saved $10.9 million in cap space by releasing him, but there will be a dead-money hit of $5.8 million in 2024. The team also placed its franchise tag on Tony Pollard this offseason, committing to him as its lead back going forward.

If Elliott returns to the Cowboys, he would be relegated to a backup role where he sees most of his carries on third down and in the red zone. The 27-year-old is coming off a down year in which he recorded career lows of 231 carries and 876 rushing yards, though he reached the end zone 12 times. He was forced to miss two games with a hyperextended right knee.

When healthy, Elliott can be a contributor in the right situation. However, there hasn't been much interest in him from other teams during his time on the open market. Last month, ESPN's Kimberley A. Martin reported that some general managers around the league think "he lost a step."

Elliott likely will have the chance to prove his doubters wrong this season, but it remains to be seen what uniform he will be wearing and what type of role he will have with his respective team.