Buccaneers' RB Coach Speaks on Potentially Adding Former Cowboys' Star Ezekiel Elliott

Elliot's former coach, who is now with the Bucs, offered his perspective on why Zeke is still a free agent, and what sort of ability he could bring to his next team.

Collin Haalboom | May 11, 2023

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Skip Peete is the new Running Backs Coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He comes to the team after spending the previous three seasons in the same role with the Dallas Cowboys.

It was in Dallas where he had great success developing Tony Pollard from a change-of-pace back, into the dynamic and well-rounded offensive weapon he has become.

Naturally, Peete also has experience working closely with Ezekiel Elliot, the former 4th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Unlike Pollard, Elliot's explosiveness and production have decreased over the past few seasons.

The trajectory of both of those players' respective careers was a big factor in the Cowboys' decision to release Elliot earlier this offseason, allowing the franchise to avoid paying the full cost that his $16.7 million dollar contract would have counted against the salary cap.

Several months later, Skip Peete is getting comfortable in his new surroundings, while Ezekiel Elliot is still trying to figure out where he'll be playing football in 2023. With the Buccaneers' considered to be somewhat light in terms of the depth and quality of their running back room, rumors have continued to swirl around the suggestion that Ezekiel Elliot is a player on the Buccaneers' radar.

As reported by Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times, Peete recently offered his perspective on Ezekiel Elliot's current status as a free agent.

“I think that’s part of the reason he's sitting out there."

"If you’re going to play, I mean, you’re going to be the second and third guy. That’s kind of what the price is. So. that’s something that a person has to be able to see that that is what it is going to be.”

It's important to note that Peete went on to describe some of the ways Ezekiel Elliot can still contribute on an NFL field.

“I think Zeke is still a good, quality running back... He’s playing 50% of the snaps, so your numbers are not the same, that’s natural. But he still scored 12 touchdowns. He still caught the ball well. He still had numerous third-and-1, and short and goal-line places where he helped us win games. He’s still a physical load.”

I would imagine that until Ezekiel Elliot is signed, the fans in Tampa Bay will continue to deal with speculation regarding the Buccaneers' interest in signing him. Regardless of whether that's actually true or not.

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Published May 11, 2023

COLLIN HAALBOOM

Prior to joining BucsGameday and Sports Illustrated, Collin's written content was provided through Bucs Banter, and NFL Draft Lounge. He is also the creator and host of the Bucs Banter Podcast. He is a graduate of the Communication Studies program at McMaster University, where he was also a varsity basketball player, and later an advanced scout. He lives with his wife and two children in Hamilton, ON. You can follow Collin on YouTube and Twitter.