Dec 4, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) celebrates with fans after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Indianapolis Colts at Dallas Cowboys
(New York, NY) – In most of the major American sports, pro athletes look forward to reaching free agency. For players in MLB, the NBA, or NHL, it can mean a lucrative chance to sign a big contract in greener pastures.
But for NFL running backs, the prospect can be downright scary.
The latest example of this trend is leaving Ezekiel Elliott out in the cold. After being released by the Dallas Cowboys, the running back let it be known he was interested in signing with the New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, or Philadelphia Eagles. To date, none of those three squads have shown much interest, per reports.
Skip Peete, who is now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers running backs coach but previously held the same job in Dallas, spoke to reporters about Elliot this week after practice. He said Elliot taking a pay cut from around $12 million per year, down to what’s likely to be closer to $1 million, is likely “part of the reason he’s sitting out there.”
Peete says Elliot will have to make a decision as to whether or not that’s something he wants to do, with retirement the other option. In recent years, Elliot saw his work load reduced as his role within the Cowboys’ offense shrank.
Tony Pollard’s emergence and Elliot’s lagging effectiveness made that happen – with Pollard now set to be the feature back in Dallas, after being given the franchise tag.
