Ezekiel Elliott's Top NFL Landing Spots After Requested Release from Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys released running back Ezekiel Elliott on Tuesday before their final game of the season on Sunday, according to NFL insider Josina Anderson.

In a statement from Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones, he said that "Out of respect and appreciation for Zeke and wanting to provide him an opportunity to pursue any potential playoff participation possible, we are releasing him from the Cowboys roster today."

In response, Elliott's agent, Rocky Arceneaux, released a statement thanking Jones and the Cowboys for honoring Elliott's request for a release.

"Even though nothing is imminent Zeke is excited about the possibilities and is grateful," Arceneaux said in the statement. "He's got a lot of good football left in him, and will remain a Dallas Cowboy for life."

The Cowboys, with a record of 7-9, have already been eliminated from playoff contention and will head into their final game of the season against the Washington Commanders without Elliott.

The 29-year-old has spent eight of his nine NFL seasons with the Cowboys, spending one year with the New England Patriots in 2023 during free agency before returning to Dallas this season.

Several other NFL teams will surely be interested in picking up the veteran running back ahead of the playoffs.

Joe Burrow and the Bengals are 8-8 after a thrilling 30-24 overtime win over the Denver Broncos on Saturday kept their playoff hopes alive. Bengals starting running back Chase Brown had 67 yards on 20 carries with zero touchdowns but suffered what is believed to be a mild right high-ankle sprain late in Saturday's victory.

As the Bengals prepare to face Pittsburgh in a must-win game on Saturday, they could be without their star running back, who was not available for Tuesday's walk-through practice, according to NBC Sports' Myles Simmons.

This would clear the way for Elliott to potentially join the playoff-hopeful team, taking over at the running back position in place of Brown.

Still, in order for Cincinnati to grab a spot in the postseason, a few other factors would need to happen around the league:

• The Denver Broncos need to lose to Kansas City.
• The Miami Dolphins need to lose to the New York Jets. 

Elliott, who has recorded 74 carries for 226 yards and three touchdowns this season, would be the perfect potential long-term addition for the Bengals, who are also facing some uncertainties heading into the offseason.

Detroit's top running back, David Montgomery, suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee during a 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills on December 15. Montgomery was able to avoid surgery, and NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that he plans to make a return in time for the divisional round of the playoffs.

Montgomery is tied for eighth in the league in rushing touchdowns with 12, adding 775 yards on 185 carries for the 14-2 Lions.

With the second-best record in the league and a clinched playoff spot, Elliott could step in for the Lions, who Fox Sports reports have the second-best odds to win the Super Bowl at +390.

After spending nine years in the league, Elliott has made it clear that his goal is to win a Super Bowl. Ultimately, he had hoped it would be with Dallas, but his focus remains on winning one, regardless of the team.

Upon his No. 4 overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, Elliott said, "I'm coming to Dallas to win a Super Bowl."

With the uncertain length of Montgomery's absence and a young second-year running back in Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions may look to Elliott for some veteran presence behind Jared Goff.

The Los Angeles Chargers clinched a wild-card spot but have been dealing with injuries at their running back position all season.

J.K. Dobbins returned last week in a 40-7 blowout win over the New England Patriots. That appearance, one in which he posted 76 yards and a touchdown, came after a four-week absence because of a knee injury that he suffered during Week 12 in a 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Backup Gus Edwards will not play in the Chargers' final game of the season against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday because of an ankle injury he suffered during Week 16. He had previously missed four games earlier in the season with another ankle injury, limiting him to 11 games.

With L.A.'s general instability at running back and the successful rebuild this season under Jim Harbaugh in his first year, the Chargers would be the perfect team for Elliott to join.

Safety Derwin James complimented Harbaugh's implementation of culture within the Chargers—an atmosphere that Elliott may be able to fit into and potentially bolster.

"He gave us a culture," James told reporters, per Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. "We know who we are when we look in the mirror. I feel like we're building that team that nobody wants to play. We don't have to rah-rah or go talk on Twitter. We're just going to continue to show how we play week in and week out. We're doing a great job with coach Harbaugh leading us."

With what could be a seamless transition into a Chargers organization on the rise under Harbaugh and franchise quarterback Justin Herbert, Elliott could provide the push the Chargers need to win their first playoff game with Herbert under center.