The time is now for the Patriots to sign free-agent running back

The vibe around the New England Patriots to start training camp has been great, and the team seems to have put its problems behind them.

The offense has also improved tremendously, and Mac Jones has been enjoying his time with his new weapons. The Patriots have an opportunity to increase the vibes of the offense by pursuing the current running back market.

One player that the Patriots need to sign now is former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. 

They need to sign a veteran back to help take the load off Rhamondre Stevenson’s shoulders. Elliott would be the perfect compliment to Stevenson, and he should be a no-brainer for the Patriots. At 28 years old, Elliott still has enough left in the tank to give the Patriots a boost this season.

Elliott’s numbers in the last two seasons make it shocking that he has not been signed yet.

Last season, he rushed for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns. The 12 scores were the sixth most in the NFL last season. The solid season makes me question why he has not been signed yet because he is still a productive player.

Although he has reportedly had off-the-field issues, he seems to have matured and improved himself.

The fact that Elliott is still on the market is mindblowing, and the Patriots should take advantage of it by signing him now.

Pairing him with Stevenson would give the Patriots one of the best running back tandems in the league, elevating their offense immediately. Elliott would flourish in the Patriots' offense, and he would be a reliable asset for them.

Plus, being able to take hits away from Stevenson would be crucial for his longevity and production at the end of the season.

Ultimately, seeing if the Patriots take advantage of this golden opportunity will be interesting.