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Buccaneers Insider Weighs In On Former Dallas Star Ezekiel Elliott Signing With Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay has continued to be linked to the veteran free agent in recent weeks.

Dustin Lewis

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't invest in the backfield during the recent NFL Draft and that means the franchise could scour the free agent market to add another body to the room. For whatever reason, the Buccaneers continue to find themselves linked to former Dallas Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott.

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Whether that's due to Tampa Bay hiring former Dallas running backs coach Skip Peete over the offseason or second-year standout Rachaad White still needing a running mate, Elliott remains a free agent at this time. He hasn't gained a ton of traction to this point after being released by the Cowboys in March.

That could shift in as time moves on but it doesn't seem like Elliott's future will be with the Buccaneers. NFL Insider and Fox Sports' Greg Auman recently weighed in on the situation, matter-of-factly stating that he doesn't foresee the veteran running back signing with Tampa Bay. 

"Nothing has changed with Bucs and their RB group. I don't see Elliott signing with Tampa Bay."

Entering his eighth season at the professional level, Elliott is coming off the worst year of his career. He only averaged 3.8 yards per carry in 2022-23 while also finishing with career lows in attempts (231) and rushing yards (876). During his time in Dallas, Elliott totaled 1,881 rushes for 8,262 yards with 68 rushing touchdowns. 

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Peete, Elliott's former position coach with the Cowboys, discussed his future. Peete believes his prior prodigy is going to have to accept less money and a smaller role to find a home somewhere in the league.

"I told him - You're going to play for a million dollars ... If you're going to be the 2nd or 3rd guy, that's what the price is," Peete said according to Auman.

The Buccaneers could still use a veteran to fill out the room with experience while White grows into the starting role. Outside of that, Tampa Bay has Chase Edmonds, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Patrick Laird, Sean Tucker, and Ronnie Brown under contract in the backfield with the summer approaching.

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Dustin Lewis
DUSTIN LEWIS

Lewis joined BucsGameday when it was founded in 2022. He's also the Editor-In-Chief of NoleGameday. A graduate of Florida State, Lewis has worked for NG since 2016.