Report: Bucs could be interested in former Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott
Ezekiel Elliott appears out in Dallas and Bucs will be interested https://t.co/niXtcls2yr
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) March 15, 2023
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are potentially interested in signing free agent running back Ezekiel Elliott, according to the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud. Elliott was released by the Dallas Cowboys earlier today:
Thank you, @EzekielElliott! pic.twitter.com/kYlqwJO6Bf
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) March 15, 2023
One of the key connections between Elliott and Tampa is new Bucs running backs coach Skip Peete, who was with Dallas in the same position from 2020 to 2022.
Elliott was once one of the best running backs in the NFL. He led the NFL in rush yards in 2016 and 2018 and had at least 1000 yards from scrimmage in every season from 2016 to 2021.
However, his play has taken a marked dip in the past few years. In 2022, Elliott hit career lows in rush yards, yards per attempt, receptions and yards per reception. At 27 years-old and nearly 2200 career touches, Elliott’s best days as an NFL running back are likely behind him.
The Bucs do need to shore up their running back ranks after veteran RB Leonard Fournette requested his release, which the Bucs intend to grant. Tampa currently has Rachaad White, Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Patrick Laird under contract, but none of them has more than 500 rush yards or two rush touchdowns in the NFL.
While Elliott would unlikely provide a ton of extra juice as a runner in Tampa, his experience does come with benefits. He has more pass-blocking snaps than every other Bucs running back combined. If he would be willing to take a bargain salary, there might be a place for Elliott on Tampa’s roster.
