It wasn’t too long ago when the NFL had a running back problem. No, there wasn’t a shortage of running backs available, but no one seemed to want them. Players like Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook, and other running backs were all wondering when their pay day was going to come.

While some continue to wait, two of those players have found new homes. Monday evening is when news broke how Ezekiel Elliott chose the New England Patriots as his team for 2023.

Zeke the Patriot. pic.twitter.com/0tcjPcAK59

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 14, 2023

Elliott is betting on himself, and likely hoping for a solid season which will equate in another big pay day before he calls it a career. In the meantime, Elliott’s deal with New England has a base salary of $3 million dollars, which the opportunity to make up to $6 million with incentives.

Former Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott is getting a base salary of $3 million with a chance to make $6 million with incentives with the Patriots. The Patriots offer has been on the table for a couple of weeks. It was tweaked on Sunday.

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) August 14, 2023

It wasn’t long after the Elliott signing in New England that another AFC East team moved on a veteran running back. That was the New York Jets signing Dalvin Cook.

The biggest different in the two players/contracts? Cook’s deal could pay him $2.6 million more than what Elliott signed for in New England.

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Ex-Vikings RB Dalvin Cook signs one-year deal for up to $8.6M with Jets, per @RapSheet + @TomPelissero https://t.co/5UCDe7JY9c pic.twitter.com/qCquUWBBwn

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) August 14, 2023

Cook joins a very crowded backfield in New York, while Elliott also takes on more of a reserve role in New England. Will either of these running backs play well enough to extend their careers and land a long-term contract in the coming years? At this stage it seems doubtful, but something which absolutely is possible.

Those running backs who remain on the open market, as of this being written, are:

• Leonard Fournette
• Kareem Hunt
• J.D. McKissic
• Mark Ingram
• Rex Burkhead
• Giovani Bernard

There is a good chance most of the aforementioned running backs won’t be going anywhere until the preseason nears its end, and injuries to backs might change organizational team needs before the regular season.