Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has responded to speculation about Ezekiel Elliott potentially coming to The Queen City.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets are Elliott’s three desired landing spots. The two-time rushing champion was released by the Dallas Cowboys last week in a cap-saving move.
“There’s a lot of great players that are available right now,” Taylor said on the Elliott-to-Cincy rumors, per Mike Dyer of WCPO. “We like our team…it’s always funny when things get thrown around. Sometimes, it’s the first you hear of it, but that’s just the way life works.”
Many expected the Bengals to release veteran running back Joe Mixon to clear cap space, but he remains on the roster. The team’s No. 2 back, Samaje Perine, left to join the Denver Broncos on a two-year deal.
The Cowboys released Elliott last week to clear salary cap space, ending his seven-year run with the club. The Cowboys made the playoffs four times during Elliott’s tenure (2016, 2018, 2021 and 2022), winning three NFC East division titles but just two playoff games.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
Tony Pollard finished the season as Dallas’ leading rusher, and the organization placed the franchise on the 25-year-old. They signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs running back Ronald Jones earlier this week, adding more depth to the RB room.
In 15 games for the Cowboys last season. Elliott rushed for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns. Though no longer a consistent 1,000-yard threat, Elliott remains productive in goal-to-go situations as well as in the pass-blocking game.
Whether or not the Bengals actually have interest and wish to sign Elliott remains to be seen. But the three-time Pro Bowler should not be on the market much longer, given his career track record and production up to this point.e
