Cowboys vs. Jets on Ezekiel Elliott as Patriots 'Highly Interested' in Signing?

The interest in former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is getting real as three teams are reportedly circling the free agent. But we stress "reportedly.''

Since former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was released by the team in March, the 28-year-old has only taken one free-agent visit. 

With Week 1 around the corner, however, the interest surrounding Elliott has "reportedly'' increased - and we stress the word "reportedly'' - as the Cowboys, New York Jets, and New England Patriots are ... reportedly ... honing in on the veteran tailback. 

According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, all three teams are considering signing Elliott with the Patriots being "highly interested" in his services after he visited New England at the end of July. Howe also reports that the Patriots are no longer going after free agent running back Dalvin Cook, who has been open about his desire to "partner up" with Tony Pollard in Dallas' backfield. 

We cannot speak in this space specifically to what New England is doing with Cook. We can envision this: The Patriots have a proven running back in Rhamondre Stevenson, so Elliott could serve as his backup and New England would not have to overpay for him.

But with "boots on the ground'' in Oxnard, we can speak to Zeke and Dalvin the Cowboys. And with all due respect to a reporter from The Athletic who arrived this weekend in Oxnard with a need to "report'' something ...

There is nothing to report on Zeke and the Cowboys, with our Mike Fisher noting that "nothing has changed'' in Dallas' position since releasing him in mid-March.

The #Cowboys position on Ezekiel Elliott is EXACTLY the same as it was on March 15, when they cut him. Please return to your homes, #CowboysNation

— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) August 6, 2023

The same reporter from The Athletic, by way, also suggested there is new news on Dak Prescott and his contract negotiations with the Cowboys. CowboysSI.com can tell you that is also false.

Meanwhile ... New York has "shown interest" in Elliott, but the Jets are still primarily focused on the Cook sweepstakes. New York might be searching for a pass-friendly tailback who can be a target for Aaron Rogers and Elliott does not exactly fit that mold.

It is true that in statements, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has not "ruled out" the idea of Elliott signing with Dallas. But he's doing marketing work here, as coach Mike McCarthy speaks for the club's true position he notes the plan to examine what he has in the younger running backs on his roster. 

A return to Dallas? This is a never-say-never business. But the Cowboys did not release Elliott at the start of the offseason just to sign him months later. Unless the running back depth in Dallas gets dangerously low, do not count on a reunion anytime soon.

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You can follow Ben King on Twitter at @BKing_2023.

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