Former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, who has received no interest in free agency, may be contemplating retirement after nine seasons in the NFL. Rumors started circulating on social media late Friday afternoon; however, no official reports have confirmed this, nor have Elliott or his agent made any comments.
Elliott, 29, was released by the Cowboys after the 2024 season, marking the end of his second stint with the franchise that drafted him fourth overall in 2016. The move followed a year in which Elliott played a reserve role, rushing for just 226 yards and three touchdowns on 74 carries, the lowest totals of his career.
Despite his availability on the open market, there have been no public indications of interest from other teams as training camps approach. Elliott’s name appears among the top running backs still unsigned, but teams have largely moved in other directions for backfield depth.
Elliott’s career began with a flourish in Dallas, where he led the NFL in rushing yards as a rookie in 2016 and again in 2018, earning three Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro honors. He spent one season with the New England Patriots in 2023 before returning to the Cowboys, but his production has steadily declined in recent years.
With no reported interest in free agency thus far, former Dallas Cowboys star RB Ezekiel Elliott could retire after 9 seasons in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/UAdKOHvxEC
— Sportskeeda Pro Football (@SKProFootball) July 11, 2025
Last year, in an interview, Elliott acknowledged the possibility that his playing days could be coming to an end, saying, “Every snap, every year, one more year I get is a blessing. I don’t know how many more of these I’m going to have. And just take advantage of being here and living in the moment”.
If Elliott does retire, he will leave the game as one of the most accomplished running backs in Cowboys history, ranking among the franchise’s all-time leaders in rushing yards and touchdowns. His durability and power running style helped define the Cowboys’ offense for much of the past decade.
For now, Elliott’s future remains uncertain as he weighs his options with training camps set to open and no offers on the table.
