NFL rumors: Ezekiel Elliott already has 1 suitor, and it’s a terrible fit

The Cowboys are ready to release running back Ezekiel Elliott, perhaps in the outstretched arms of an NFC contender.

It took three months, but the Dallas Cowboys are finally thinking straight again. The Cowboys are emotionally prepared to give up running back Ezekiel Elliott to save up nearly $10 million for the cap, and starting at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Elliott is free to negotiate with whichever team he chooses.

Predictably, Elliott already has one suitor waiting outside his door, and it’s perhaps the most desperate of the bunch: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

According to Tampa insider Rick Stroud, the Bucs will be interested in bringing in Elliott once he’s released. Perhaps the feeling is not mutual.

The Bucs ran their offense on the ground last season to rank last in the league in run blocking and last in rushing yards per game (75.6).

With Elliott’s efficiency already waning, he’ll thrive better on a team with an already solid rushing attack, not to mention he likely doesn’t want to be fed balls from newly signed quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Ezekiel Elliott receives special interest from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency

From Tampa’s perspective, bringing back a running back, albeit a talented one, like Zeke makes a lot of sense. With Tom Brady’s glory days behind them, Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask won’t lead the franchise to playoff contention on the passing game alone, and they’ve just fired their top ball carrier, Leonard Fournette.

Elliott could immediately slip into a workhorse running back role and finally give the Bucs’ rushing offense some fangs, assuming the team’s O-line improves blocking next season.

As a free agent, Elliott naturally has the most leverage in choosing which team he wants to play for, and of all his options, the Bucs might be the worst.

A rebuilding team without an identity in the NFC South is trying to escape the shadow of Brady’s brief but victorious tenure. Thank you for your interest, then.

It’s best for Elliott to wait to weigh all his options and see if there’s a more serious contender in the final game, like the Buffalo Bills or Los Angeles Chargers. As they say, never take your first offer.

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