Cowboys release 2-time rushing champion Elliott

The Dallas Cowboys released running back Ezekiel Elliott on Wednesday, ending a seven-season run for a two-time rushing champion who never regained the form of his dominant early years.

Elliott will be designated a post-June 1 cut, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team didn’t reveal details of the decision. The move will save Dallas about $11 million under the salary cap this season.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the decision was mutual to let the 27-year-old Elliott pursue another team in free agency and give the Cowboys more financial flexibility in building a roster.

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 $90 million, six-year extension he signed to end a preseason-long holdout in 2019. MAYFIELD JOINING BUCS » The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed on an $8.5 million, one-year contract with quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick by Cleveland in 2018, joins his third team since last July. He gets an opportunity to compete with Kyle Trask to replace Tom Brady, who retired after three seasons with the Buccaneers.

Mayfield was 1-5 as a starter last season in Carolina before he was released. He joined the Rams and went 1-3 in four starts. SMITH-SCHUSTER TO PATRIOTS » The New England Patriots are adding free agent wide receiver JuJu SmithSchuster.

A person with knowledge of the deal said it is for three years and as much as $33 million.

COX STICKING WITH EAGLES » The Philadelphia Eagles and six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox have agreed on a $10 million, one-year contract.

A first-round pick in 2012, Cox has been one of the league’s best inside defensive linemen for a decade. He has 65 sacks in 11 seasons, including seven in 2022 for the league’s No. 2 ranked defense. PANTHERS UPGRADE » The Carolina Panthers added two significant offensive weapons.

The Panthers agreed to terms with former Eagles running back Miles Sanders and former Cincinnati Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst, both unrestricted free agents.

The Panthers plan to select a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft after trading away four draft picks and wide receiver D.J. Moore to the Chicago Bears to move up eight spots.