NFL rumors: Eagles say thanks, but no thanks to Ezekiel Elliott interest

The Philadelphia Eagles’ interest in former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott seems to have been overstated.

With former Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott needing a new place to play, that team may not be the Philadelphia Eagles after all.

It goes without saying that the Cowboys and Eagles absolutely hate each other as bitter NFC East rivals, but these franchises are self-aware enough to recognize what has made the other good for some time. Elliott may be pushing 30 and past his prime, but he can do all the little things in the backfield to help a team win games. However, it seems like the Birds are looking at other options.

John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported on Thursday evening that the Eagles have not had conversations with Elliott about him joining their team. They seem to like what they have in their backfield, despite losing Miles Sanders to the Carolina Panthers in his free agency. Keep in mind that the Birds have the No. 10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and can draft Texas star Bijan Robinson.

The two other teams that have been tied to Elliott most recently are the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Jets.

NFL rumors: Philadelphia Eagles not that interested in signing Ezekiel Elliott

Clark intimating the Bengals, Eagles and Jets are more of an Elliott wishlist is pretty telling. All three are teams that should push for playoff contention next season. Although the Eagles still need to replace Sanders, the thought of potentially adding a top-four running back in Texas football history at No. 10 may be too good to pass up. They would be adding a younger Elliott.

The Jets seem to have every burner on the stove turned on this offseason. They just need to figure out how to get Aaron Rodgers in the building above all else. Nothing else they do between now and training camp matters. As for the Bengals, that is one spot where I think there could be some mutual interest. Elliott is a former Ohio State star who was briefly teammates with Joe Burrow.

Even with the Bengals losing a few stars on their defense in free agency, they remain a top-three team in the AFC. Retaining both coordinators is absolutely massive for head coach Zac Taylor. Although Elliott grew up in Greater St. Louis, he has seen first-hand how big of a deal it is for a former Buckeye to play professionally in-state on either the Bengals or the Cleveland Browns.

It may take a minute for Elliott to find a new place to play, but he should be going to a contender.