Ezekiel Elliott has been sent a message by the New York Jets running backs as the former Dallas Cowboys star weighs up a move to the AFC East team.
Last week, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed Elliott was being released by the franchise with which the former Ohio State stud spent each of his seven NFL seasons so far. Dallas selected Elliott with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and he led the league in rushing yards per game for three successive seasons between 2016 and 2018.
However, he endured a down season in 2022 and became the second-fiddle behind Tony Pollard in the Cowboys’ rushing attack so he is coming off career lows in rushing attempts, rushing yards and rushing average, although he did manage to score 12 touchdowns this past season. Now a free agent, Elliott has a number of suitors and he has narrowed it down to three preferred options - including the Jets.
Amid the news breaking on social media, Jets running back Breece Hall took to Twitter to suggest Robert Saleh’s side do not need the three-time Pro Bowler. The 21-year-old tagged two-year star Michael Carter in a message that was a direct shot at Elliott.
“I think we good over here @8kMike hbu?” Hall wrote, adding a yawning face emoji at the end of his post.
Hall deleted his tweet soon after but Carter still posted his response. The 23-year-old wrote: “The disrespect will end.”
The Jets have a strong running back room in Hall and Carter, with the 2022 second round pick excelling before tearing his ACL. However, the team could certainly find success with a veteran presence in the form of Elliott.
Elliott has reportedly decided to play for either the Jets, Bengals or Eagles - and he is seemingly set to make a decision over his future by the end of next week. The Jets would be an intriguing option given the seemingly imminent arrival of Rodgers, with a number of stars now linked with the green half of New York.
On the Pat McAfee Show last Wednesday, Rodgers publicly announced his ‘intention’ to play for New York - but no deal has yet been struck between the Jets and the Packers. As the team continue to negotiate with the Packers, the Jets have added former Green Bay wideout Allen Lazard and ex Kansas City Chiefs star Mecole Hardman in free agency to join Garrett Wilson and Corey Davis in their receiver room.
Robert Saleh’s side have also been linked with a move for Odell Beckham Jr. as the 30-year-old decides his next destination after missing the entire 2022 campaign. If Elliott is added to the mix, the Jets could well possess one of the most exciting offences in the league.
The 27-year-old is one of the best running backs in the Cowboys’ storied history. He has racked up 8,262 rushing yards in his career, which places him third on the all-time list in rushing for the franchise behind a pair of Hall of Famers in Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.
