Bucs interested in Ezekiel

 

Recently, rumors have been circulating that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are interested in adding star running back Ezekiel Elliott to their already-loaded roster. This would be a major move for the defending Super Bowl champions, and could potentially solidify their status as a true dynasty.

The Buccaneers have been on a roll since they signed quarterback Tom Brady prior to the 2020 season. Brady brought his championship pedigree and leadership to the team, and led them to their first Super Bowl victory in nearly two decades. The addition of Elliott could be the final piece of the puzzle for the Bucs, and could make them even more dominant in the upcoming season.

So, why are the Buccaneers interested in Elliott? There are several factors that make him an attractive target for the team. First and foremost, he is one of the best running backs in the league. Elliott has rushed for over 1,000 yards in three of his five seasons in the NFL, and has averaged 4.5 yards per carry over his career. He is also a skilled pass-catcher, with 219 career receptions for 1,892 yards and 10 touchdowns.

In addition to his on-field abilities, Elliott is a proven winner. He was a key member of the Ohio State Buckeyes team that won the national championship in 2014, and has helped lead the Dallas Cowboys to two division titles in his five seasons with the team. His experience in big games could be invaluable to the Buccaneers, who will be looking to defend their Super Bowl title in the upcoming season.

Of course, there are some potential concerns with bringing Elliott to Tampa Bay. The biggest issue is his contract. Elliott signed a six-year, $90 million extension with the Cowboys in 2019, which makes him one of the highest-paid running backs in the league. The Buccaneers would need to find a way to fit his contract into their already-tight salary cap situation.

Another concern is Elliott's off-field behavior. He has been involved in several incidents over the past few years, including a suspension in 2017 for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. While he has stayed out of trouble since then, the Buccaneers would need to be sure that he can stay out of trouble in the future.

Despite these concerns, the Buccaneers may feel that Elliott is worth the risk. With Brady nearing the end of his career, the team may feel that they need to go all-in and make a run at another Super Bowl title while they still have him. Adding a talent like Elliott could be the move that puts them over the top.

Assuming that the Buccaneers do decide to pursue Elliott, there are a few potential trade scenarios that could make sense for both teams. One possibility is that the Cowboys could trade Elliott and a draft pick to the Buccaneers in exchange for a package of players and picks. Another option would be for the Buccaneers to simply sign Elliott if he is released by the Cowboys.

Either way, there are several players on the Buccaneers' roster who could be involved in a trade for Elliott. One possibility is that the Cowboys could be interested in wide receiver Chris Godwin, who is set to become a free agent this offseason. Godwin is one of the top young receivers in the league, and could be a valuable asset for the Cowboys as they look to rebuild their offense.

Another player who could be involved in a trade for Elliott is tight end O.J. Howard. Howard has struggled to live up to his potential since being drafted by the Buccaneers in the first round in 2017, however he nonetheless has a excessive ceiling and will be an interesting prospect for the Cowboys.

Regardless of the specifics of the trade, the addition of Elliott would give the Buccaneers a truly formidable offense. With Brady under center, and weapons like Mike Evans, Rob Gronkowski, and Antonio Brown at his disposal