JANUARY 1: As expected, Elliott cleared waivers on Wednesday, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. He’s now free to sign with any team’s lively roster or practice squad, though he’s searching for a chance to play within the postseason.
DECEMBER 31: The Cowboys are waiving running back Ezekiel Elliott, per veteran NFL insider Josina Anderson. Elliott requested his release so he could explore a chance with a playoff-bound team.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones released an announcement (via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer) praising Elliott as “one in every of the best to each play with the Star on their helmet. Because vested veterans are subject to the waiver wire after the trade deadline, Elliott won’t hit free agency until he clears waivers.
“Out of respect and appreciation for Zeke and wanting to supply him with a chance to pursue any potential playoff participation possible, we’re releasing him from the Cowboys roster today,” Jones said within the statement.
This, after all, marks the second time the Cowboys have released Elliott in two years. They dropped his six-year, $90MM extension from the payroll in March 2023, designating the previous rushing champion as a post-June 1 cut. That created the interesting scenario, once Elliott re-signed with the team in April 2024, of the ninth-year veteran carrying two contracts on Dallas’ payroll.
It stays unclear if Elliott will find the playoff opportunity he’s looking for. His agent, Rocky Arceneaux, said that “nothing is imminent” and thanked the Cowboys for granting Elliott’s release, per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
Elliott is unlikely to be claimed on waivers after recording career-lows across the board this season, including 3.1 yards per carry and a 43.2% rushing success rate. A more likely path to a playoff team could be on a practice squad where he can get conversant in a brand new offense and work his way towards a postseason appearance.
Nonetheless, almost every playoff team has a minimum of one solid running back of their backfield. Elliott’s best probabilities is perhaps in Cincinnati, where Chase Brown just suffered a sprained ankle and Zack Moss stays on injured reserve. Still, it’s hard to assume Elliott playing anything greater than a peripheral role this postseason after years of declining production following his excellent first three years within the league.
