Bengals are ‘looming large’ in race to sign free agent running back Ezekiel Elliott

The Cincinnati Bengals ‘could be looming large’ in the race to sign former Dallas Cowboys superstar running back Ezekiel Elliott, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

‘I’m told [the Bengals] are looking to add a running back—either free agency or the draft—either to pair with Joe Mixon, or if they were to move on from Mixon, they could save nearly $8million in cap space,’ Fowler said.

Thursday it was reported that Elliott had eyes on joining either the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, or Bengals.

The three-time Pro Bowler was released by the Dallas Cowboys on March 15, following a seven-year stint that saw him record totals of 8,262 yards rushing yards and 68 rushing touchdowns, on 1,881 carries, to go along with 2,336 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns, on 305 receptions. 

Elliott’s best season with the Cowboys came as a rookie when he ran for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has run for over 1,000 yards in four of his seven season.

The Cincinnati Bengals reportedly ‘could be looming large’ in the chase for Ezekiel Elliott

Elliott has remained an elite redzone threat even while his rushing yards have slightly dipped

Last year he ran for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns. His 22 rushing TDs in the last two years proves that despite his yardage numbers taking a slight dip Elliott’s is still one of the league’s most dangerous runners of the ball in the redzone.

At only 27-years-old Elliott should have more than enough juice left in his legs to fill Mixon’s shoes if the team decides to part ways with the talented RB and his $12.8M salary cap charge.

Last season Mixon ran for 814 yards and seven touchdowns, on 210 carries. He likely would have recorded another 1,000-yard season had he not missed three games.

If the team were to pair the duo together however, it would likely create the NFL’s best backfield combination as Elliott and Mixon would split carries to keep each other fresh. 

Superstar quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ explosive passing game would also benefit from the added diversity in the running game as teams would be unable to gear a gameplan to take away one part of Cincinnati’s offense without being left exposed against the other.

The Bengals are said to be considering moving on from Pro Bowler Joe Mixon or pairing him with another RB to keep him fresher throughout the year

Mixon has been one of the league’s most consistent RBs when healthy through his career

Bengals head coach Zach Taylor commented on the Elliott rumors, and it would be safe to say his response did not confirm the links to the former Cowboy’s All-Pro.

‘There’s a lot of great players that are available right now,’ Taylor said, via WCPO’s Mike Dyer.

‘We like our team where it’s at right now, but it’s always fun when things get thrown around. Sometimes it’s the first you hear of it, but that’s just the way life works.’ 

Cincinnati has already seen the departure of backup running back Samaje Perine, who signed with the Denver Broncos.