Ezekiel Elliott has his eyes on the Jets.
Elliott, who was recently cut from the Cowboys, has narrowed his list of suitors to the Jets, Bengals and Eagles. As reported by ESPN.
The two-time NFL rushing leader was set to make $16.9 million against the salary cap, including a non-guaranteed salary of $10.9 million, before being released.
However, the current state of the running back market indicates that he will have to compromise for less.
The Jets are seeking a veteran powerback to complement Brees Hall, who re-signed to a one-year contract Thursday afternoon, and third-down pass-catching speedster Ty Johnson.
Hall is looking to get out of a torn ACL at the end of the season, but thinks he’ll be ready in time for training camp.
How Elliott (who last played against the Cowboys snapped the ball on a botched trick play in the playoff loss against the 49ers) could really add to the Jets’ greatest needs by playing center Cue a wise crack about.
But in reality, Elliott, who will turn 28 in July, rushed for a career-low 3.8 yards per carry, and in 15 games (14 starts) last season when 1,000-yard rusher Tony Pollard came on the scene. Caught a career-low 17 passes.
The Cowboys chose the franchise tag Pollard and moved on from Elliott.
Giants’ Saquon Barkley and Raiders’ Josh Jacobs were also tagged — and those three one-year, $10.1 million deals are unexpectedly player-friendly compared to how free-agent running backs have caved in. looks like
The Bengals and Eagles are the frontrunners if Elliott is chasing the Super Bowl ring.
The Jets in that group are part of the “Aaron Rodgers effect,” attracting veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and potentially reuniting some of the biggest stars from the 2016 NFC Pro Bowl roster. there is.
Elliott’s problem, of course, would be his salary demands.
Does he want to be paid like the star he once was, or like the complementary Buck he’s expected to be?
The Panthers’ Miles Sanders (4 years, $25 million) has created a need for the Eagles by earning the top running back free agent deal.
Saints’ Jamal Williams (3 years, $12 million) received even less after leading the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns for the Lions last season.
