The honeycomb of free agent running backs, Ezekiel Elliott, has been looking more enticing to teams ahead of the 2023 season. Here's the latest on his hot and heavy suitors.

Ex-Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott may have been off the saddle for most of the offseason, but he's getting back in with a potential suitor from the AFC East.

Ever since Elliott was released by the Cowboys this past March, he hasn't attracted red-hot interest in part due to the general state of the running back market. Someone with Elliott's grit and experience would still serve as a valuable depth piece for any roster, and the latest team biting the bait may be the New England Patriots.

The Athletic's Jeff Howe reported that the Patriots hosted the veteran running back for a free agent visit on Saturday. New England may have been keeping a side eye on the Jets, who are heavily linked to Dalvin Cook at the moment; going after Elliott would give them a proven and productive backup in their ball-carrier room.

The Jets, too, are apparently keeping tabs on Elliott. But the Patriots have made the most confident move by… inviting Elliott out to dinner. His date? None other than quarterback Mac Jones.

Ezekiel Elliott attracts simmering interest from Patriots, Jets

White tablecloths, fancy glassware, leather chairs — yup, Zeke is getting the VIP treatment. One may assume Jones is footing the bill as a gesture of goodwill to Elliott. "I'll pay for dinner, just like our front office will pay you what you're worth."

New England's No. 1 back heading into 2023 is former fourth-round pick Rhamondre Stevenson, and behind him lies a training camp battlefield of Pierre Strong Jr., Ty Montgomery, Kevin Harris, and J.J. Taylor.

Sliding Elliott into the backup slot would give the Patriots a lethal ground game to compete with their divisional rivals. It would also give Jones a firmer crutch to lean on if the passing game isn't working (like last year), a point that's not lost on the developing quarterback.

Elliott will likely weigh all his options, which may include both the Pats and the Jets, as the 2023 season approaches. He's looking for what every other running back is looking for: money and stability.

Amid news of Jonathan Taylor's trade request out of Indy, the running back market threatens to become more congested than ever, and Elliott holds as little leverage now as before. Playing hard-to-get isn't an option for even established running backs like Elliott. Yet based on this sneaky picture of Elliott and potential future teammate Mac Jones, he and the Pats may already be going steady.

Let's see if there'll be a second date.