Ezekiel Elliott was widely seen as one of the best running backs in the NFL before the Cowboys paid him with a hefty contract after he showed signs of sitting out.
Bob Sturm of The Athletic reported Wednesday that scouts believe “he has very little left in his legs, and the word is out.” That is worrisome news for the running back who is signed through 2026.
“I believe he has one option for employment above the league minimum, and it is right here in Dallas,” Sturm wrote. “I could be wrong, but if I am, it is a very low number. Maybe one year for $2 million or $2.5 million, which is a far cry from what he is used to.”
In response to this news, Dez Bryant lashed out when he took to Twitter and fired off at the comment about his former teammate.
“He was sacrificing his unhealed body to give the Cowboys the best chance to win games playing whatever role,” Bryant said.
Bryant continued to stick up for Elliott, saying “if you going to talk about his game declining make sure you talk about how badly injured he was.”
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Elliott is scheduled to make $10.9 million in base salary during the 2023 campaign. However, he noted he would accept a pay cut if he could remain with the only NFL team he has ever known.
The Cowboys could look to prioritize the younger Tony Pollard, who is ready to takeover the role.
Elliott also led the league in rushing yards per game in each of his first three campaigns after the Cowboys selected him with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2016 NFL draft. However, he posted a career-worst 3.8 yards per carry during the 2022 season.
It remains to be seen what the Cowboys will do at running back for the 2023 campaign.
