“About f*cking time”: ex-Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott may be contemplating retirement after nine seasons in the NFL

On July 11, Hayden Victoria of The Sporting News reported that former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott received no interest in free agency. So, he may be contemplating retirement after spending nine seasons in the NFL.

On July 12, NFL Rumors’ official X account shared, “Former #Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott is expected to RETIRE #DallasCowboys.” Just hours ago, Jake Harper of Marca also reported that the running back’s name appeared among the best unsigned running backs, but the teams had moved in other directions for backfield depth. Since late Friday afternoon, rumors have circulated on social media, but no official reports have come from Elliott or his agent about his supposed retirement.

“The shelf life of NFL players is three years,” said three-time Pro Bowler Ezekiel Elliott, suggesting a potential shift towards retirement

The Dallas Cowboys picked Ezekiel Elliott in the 2016 NFL Draft as their first-round, 4th overall pick. He played for them till 2022. Then, for one season(2023), he was with the New England Patriots. In 2024, Elliott came back to the Cowboys. That’s when he also gave an inclination towards a possible retirement.

Speculating on a lid closure to his NFL career, Ezekiel Elliott told Nick Harris of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.com in July 2024, “Right now, the focus is having as much fun as I can.

I don’t know how many more of these I’m going to have. And just take advantage of being here, living in the moment. It’s fun being here. The shelf life of NFL players is three years. Every snap, every year, one more year I get is a blessing. And I mean, just being out there with these guys.

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Ezekiel Elliott had transformed into a vocal leader in the last season he spent with the Dallas Cowboys

Ezekiel Elliott, the rushing yards leader, also showed an inkling towards teaching and coaching in that interview with Harris. Would he return as a coach? After his speculated retirement? Only time will tell.

For now, let’s see what he shared with Harris. “Just me kind of transforming more of a lead-by-example to becoming more of a vocal leader. From 2016 to now, I’ve played 100 games, 1500 more touches, however many more touchdowns and yards.

I have a lot of experience, I have a lot more to offer…doing whatever I can to help bring these younger guys along.”

Ezekiel Elliott had some unfinished business with the Dallas Cowboys

Ezekiel Elliott, a 29-year-old running back, had unfinished business with the Dallas Cowboys.

And so, he returned for a year to play with them in the 2024 NFL season. The RB shared with Harris back then, “I think it was important for me to come back because I had unfinished business. I felt like I wanted to come back and be with my guys and take another spin at it.” After his unfinished business, he joined the practice squad of the Los Angeles Chargers on January 6, 2025.

Ever since then, there has been no interest in any free agency.

Hayden Victoria of The Sporting News concluded, “Elliott’s future remains uncertain as he weighs his options with training camps set to open and no offers on the table.”

Fans react to ex-Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott’s retirement speculation

One fan already speculated Elliott’s next move: “Oh now Jerry Jones can hire him for the front office 👍.” A second fan wondered, “I thought he played for the @chargers 🤔.” A third user thought he retired five years ago, “I thought he did 5 years ago?” Another fan thought it was “about f*cking time” to retire. A fifth user applauded, “Great career! He did a lot of great things. Hope he does great things outside of football!” Another went back in time, “Rookie contract zeke was so special man.

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