Such as life when you're one of the best teams in the NFL. Nearly any available veteran will be suggested for you to sign, and some can even be made to make sense. Of course at this time of the year players are subject to waivers, and once they clear waivers they become a free agent.
The Detroit Lions are in that "they should sign (insert name here)" boat.
The Dallas Cowboys did running back Ezekiel Elliott a favor by waiving him earlier this week, to allow him to sign with a Super Bowl contender. He cleared waivers Wednesday afternoon, and he is now a free agent.
So naturally, the suggestions the Lions should sign Elliott have come. Mark Powell of FanSided did it, and so did Taylyn Hadley of Bleacher Report in naming the Lions among three top landing spots for the two-time league rushing champion.
The Lions should have zero interest in Ezekiel Elliott
The premise the Lions should sign Elliott is rooted in David Montgomery's absence due to an MCL injury in his right knee. He is out indefinitely, but he could return during the playoffs as he rehabs the injury rather than have season-ending surgery. There would be nothing wrong with the premise, if Elliott was anywhere near the back he once was.
In 15 games for the Cowboys this season, Elliott had 74 carries for 226 yards (3.1 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. They stopped trying to force-feed him work because he lamented his lack of touches, and with Rico Dowdle as the lead back Dallas' run game uncoincidentally improved.
Elliott averaged 3.5 yards per carry for the New England Patriots in 2023, and the 12 touchdowns he had for the Cowboys in 2022 obscured the fact he averaged 3.8 yards per carry. Two rushing titles over his first three years in the league was a long time ago.
Beyond Elliott being far more name than actual game at this point, we have the affinity the Lions have for backup running back Craig Reynolds. After his showing on Monday night against the 49ers (66 total yards on nine touches), head coach Dan Campbell freshly lauded a player who fits the culture he has built.
Coach Campbell on Craig Reynolds' contributions pic.twitter.com/b2yQNdzuFD
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 31, 2024
"That's Craig. That's what Craig does", Campbell said. "And you know, Craig doesn't get hardly any reps, because they go to Gibbs, David when we had David. So he goes in, from the mental work, of preparing, he's always on point. He knows exactly where to line up. Alignment, assignment, effort, finish. And he shows up once again for us. That's why we trust him, trust the heck out of him."
Sounds like a player Campbell is ready to replace as Jahmyr Gibbs' primary backup for however long Montgomery is out, huh? That's sarcasm of course. Beyond that, the hollowed-out shell of what Elliott once was should not be someone that interests the Lions one bit.