Ezekiel Elliott was a different kind of workhorse, and the proof is hiding in a streak most fans barely noticed. Even De’Von Achane came up short against the Saints, leaving that mark untouched: three straight games with 100 rushing yards and five catches.
That was something Elliott last pulled off in 2018, and no one has matched it in seven years. Naturally, this only fuels more questions about Elliott’s current scenario.
What Is Ezekiel Elliott up to Nowadays?
Elliott’s NFL journey has taken some sharp turns over the past year, and the former Dallas Cowboys star now finds himself in rare territory: unsigned, uncertain, and waiting for the phone to ring.
After being released by the Cowboys in December 2024 at his own request, hoping to latch onto a playoff-bound team, Zeke’s plan never quite materialized. Dallas cut him out of respect, with Jerry Jones calling him “one of the greatest to ever play” for the franchise, but that final act of goodwill didn’t lead to a late-season revival.
His second stint with the Cowboys already showed clear signs of decline. Elliott posted career lows in rushing yards at 226, yards per carry at 3.1, and overall involvement in the offense. A one-game suspension for being late to meetings further hurt his standing with the team.
Even with Rico Dowdle thriving as Dallas’ new lead back, it became clear the reunion wasn’t built to last. Currently, the Cowboys rank fourth in the PFSN’s Offense Impact metrics with a grade (B)
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By January 2025, Elliott landed on the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad as the team prepared for a playoff push. He never saw game action, and once the offseason arrived, neither the Chargers nor any other team extended a full-time offer. As training camps opened in mid-2025, Elliott was still without a team and remained a free agent.
Back in October, though, there was some hope. Injuries at running back, from Antonio Gibson’s torn ACL in New England to the Chargers losing both Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton briefly made Elliott a realistic depth option again.
Even so, some analysts believe he could still earn a late-season opportunity, given his track record of 9,130 rushing yards, 74 rushing touchdowns, dependable pass protection, and effectiveness in short-yardage situations.
Teams like the Patriots and Chargers were mentioned as sensible fits, with both teams thin at running back and in need of a veteran who could handle 8 to 12 touches if called upon. In the end, nothing materialized, leaving a major question surrounding his future.
At 30, Elliott is no longer the dominant runner who twice led the league in rushing. Still, he is also not far removed from his productive 2023 season in New England, where he totaled 955 scrimmage yards and proved capable as a serviceable RB2. Whether teams still value that version of Elliott remains unclear.
His last Instagram activity came in November. One post showing a highlight reel from his iconic 2018 hurdle over Eagles safety Tre Sullivan. The other one was of him attending boxer Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s fight in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
For now, though, Ezekiel Elliott is simply a free agent waiting for another chance…and running out of time to find one.
Dallas Cowboys’ Stats and Insights for Week 17
Team: The Dallas Cowboys finished their home schedule with a 4-3-1 record. They have only won six of their last 17 home games, following a 16-game home win streak during the 2023 and 2024 regular seasons.
QB: Dak Prescott has completed 30 passes in a game four times, which leads the NFL. The next highest is two games accomplished by seven players.
Offense: Dallas had a PFSN’s Offense Impact (OFFi) score of 80.9 (B-) in Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers. It ranked fourth in the league last week, and the Cowboys ranked in the weekly top five for the fourth time.
Defense: The Cowboys have a PFSN’s Defense Impact (DEFi) score of 61.1, which is last in the NFL. Last season, Dallas finished 22nd in DEFi.
Fantasy: Could Jake Ferguson surprise fantasy managers with a useful Week 17? He caught seven passes for 29 yards and two touchdowns in the ultimate PPR scam game back in Week 7. The Washington Commanders allow the fourth most fantasy points per game to tight ends.