Cowboys spring a Zeke after cutting Elliott
The Cowboys released running back Ezekiel Elliott, 27, on Wednesday, ending a sevenseason run for a two-time rushing champion who never regained the form of his dominant early years. The move will save Dallas about $11 million under the salary cap this season.
“This is one of the toughest parts of operating a team,” owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. ‘‘Moments like this come, and extremely difficult decisions and choices are made. For the franchise. For me personally. For players, too. We will always have a special place and love for Zeke.”
While Elliott finished with 12 rushing touchdowns in a second consecutive playoff season for the Cowboys in 2022, his overall production never matched the value of a sixyear, $90 million extension he signed to end a preseason-long holdout in 2019.
Tony Pollard has emerged as the best playmaker for quarterback Dak Prescott in the Dallas offense. The Cowboys have placed the $10.1 million franchise tag on Pollard.
♦ The Browns released defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and safety John Johnson.
Brown becomes a Bengal
Four-time Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown Jr. is leaving the Super Bowl champion for a four-year, $64.09 million deal with the Bengals. The deal includes a $31 million signing bonus.
Brown, a third-round pick by Baltimore in 2018, spent three seasons with the Ravens and the last two with the Chiefs.
Brown, thought by many to be on the Bears’ radar, began his career at right tackle and shifted to the left side in 2020. He’ll protect Joe Burrow’s blindside in Cincinnati.
The Bengals lost to the Chiefs in the AFC championship game in January.
Quarterback news
Jacoby Brissett has agreed with the Commanders on a one-year contract reportedly worth $10 million with $8 million guaranteed. Brissett becomes the experienced veteran the team wanted to bring in to compete with projected starter Sam Howell. Brissett threw for 2,608 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions last season with the Browns, starting 11 games while Deshaun Watson was suspended.
♦ The Buccaneers signed Baker Mayfield to a one-year deal worth up to $8.5 million. Mayfield was 1-5 as a starter with the Panthers last season before being released. He joined the Rams and went 1-3 in four starts.
♦ The Bills reportedly signed Kyle Allen to compete with Matt Barkley to back up Josh Allen after losing Case Keenum to the Texans.
Other signings
After a report early Wednesday that the Eagles were going to cut five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay, it turned out that they are planning to keep him with a restructured deal. He is scheduled to earn a base salary of $17 million in 2023 with a salary cap hit of $26.1 million. The team also re-signed defensive tackle Fletcher Cox to a one-year, $10 million deal.
♦ The Patriots signed wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to a three-year deal worth a reported $33 million. Jakobi Meyers just left the Patriots to sign with the Raiders for the same deal. Smith-Schuster had 78 receptions for 933 yards for the Chiefs last season.
♦ The Panthers signed tight end Hayden Hurst to a three-year, $21.75 million deal with $13 million guaranteed, and running Miles Sanders to a four-year, $25 million deal.
♦ The Browns signed safety Juan Thornhill to a three-year, $21 million deal with $14 million guaranteed.
♦ The Saints signed running back Jamaal Williams to a three-year, $12 million deal.
♦ The Bills re-signed safety Jordan Poyer to a two-year contract.