Franchise icon veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott’s disciplinary issues may signal a trade and Chiefs, Chargers may be the best fits. According to multiple reports, Elliott for the first time in his career won’t be traveling with the Dallas Cowboys for Sunday’s matchup for disciplinary reasons. After losing DaRon Bland for another week, it seems like Dallas’ season is like a sinking ship that continues to plummet despite still being 3-4 on the year. The wheels are falling off for the Cowboys who were hoping to have an above-average backfield room to accommodate quarterback Dak Prescott with some reliability on the ground game.
Originally, the Cowboys brought back Elliott after spending just one season in New England serving as the backup for Rhamondre Stevenson. However, they’ve stuck with Rico Dowdle as their immediate starter for the future and might have to depend on him a little longer. Even though Dalvin Cook is on the active roster now, he has yet to play a singular snap this season. The Cowboys have one of the worst collections of backfield pieces in the league and even having Deuce Vaughn who hasn’t seen the field isn’t helping much.
Dallas is currently in last place in the NFL with 519 total rush yards and tied last with three rushing touchdowns. The NFC East is competitive again with the Commanders and Philadelphia atop of the division with winning records. If frustrations continue to grow, it may force the team’s hand to trade Elliott and Chiefs, Chargers could be the best suitors to revive his career.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott did not travel to Atlanta because of disciplinary reasons and will be inactive Sunday, per ESPN’s @toddarcher. pic.twitter.com/MrlLylKjuY
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 2, 2024
Veteran Ezekiel Elliott “Disciplinary Issues” May Signal a Trade, Chiefs, Chargers Suitors
Super Bowl Chance
Isiah Pacheco may be returning but the depth behind has been nothing but average. They’ve had to rely on Kareem Hunt as their starter alongside journeyman Samaje Perine and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Rookie Carson Steele got a few chances this year but now they should be preparing for a playoff push. The Chiefs may be 7-0 but they should probably be 3-4 at best since they’ve been keeping matchups close.
Elliott isn’t the same player he was in 2016 but he could be a valuable depth piece behind Pacheco since Hunt has been depleting weekly. Kansas City can’t afford to rush Pacheco since they’re already ahead of the playoff run so they can use these next couple of games relying on the passing game. They want to keep Pacheco intact and healthy for the postseason so someone like Elliott could get some extra touches. Edwards-Helaire is probably headed elsewhere in 2025 after missing some games earlier this season with mental health issues so Elliott could be their consistent backup and may wipe off the dust to be a great runner again.
Jim Harbaugh’s Vision
Unfortunately for the Chargers, the run game hasn’t been phenomenal even after Jim Harbaugh wanted it to be that way. They’re without Gus Edwards moving forward but J.K. Dobbins has been holding stomping grounds. Nobody loves the run more than Harbaugh so they could use Elliott in the red zone to punch it in for a score. Elliott isn’t fast anymore or even elite but he wouldn’t need to do much to be a reliable athlete for the Chargers.
The Chargers might have one of the worst-receiving groups but they could revive their 4-3 season with the run. After departing with Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley, the Chargers must build on their future and that may include the new duo of Elliott and Dobbins.
