Todd Gurley‘s new deal with the Rams is great news for Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, Charean Williams of PFT writes.
“I think it’s great for running back position which has been devalued in the past couple of years,” Elliott said. “You have seen a trend of running backs being picked high, and after they have been picked high, their team has gotten better. So I think the league is finally noticing the value of the running back.”
Gurley’s new four-year, ~$60MM deal includes $45MM guaranteed and may set a new standard for talented running backs like Elliott. The Cowboys will have to shell out more money than previously anticipated to lock up Elliott for the long term, but the good news is that they don’t have to worry about a new deal right away. Barring something unexpected, the Cowboys will pick up Elliott’s fifth-year option for 2021. After that, they’ll have to address his next contract.
Here’s more from the NFC East:
- Cowboys rookie wide receiver Cedrick Wilson is believed to have torn the labrum in his shoulder in practice, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). If the sixth rounder misses significant time, it’ll be a blow to the Cowboys’ WR depth. A timetable has not been determined, but owner Jerry Jones confirmed that he’ll be out for a while (Twitter link via Jon Machota of the Dallas News).
- After participating fully in training camp, quarterback Carson Wentz looks like a good bet for the Eagles‘ opener, Les Bowen of the Philly News writes. The Eagles won’t put a timetable on Wentz, but offensive coordinator Mike Groh admits that he is encouraged by what he’s seen. “He looks comfortable,” Groh said. “Just settled right back into the saddle … to have Carson there — in some people’s minds ahead of schedule, but I know that was his target date — we’re excited to have him out there and working. It’s only going to make everybody better.”
- Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer wonders if Michael Bennett is willing to take a lesser role with the Eagles‘ defensive line. Bennett, who came over from the Seahawks this offseason, says that he is angling to be the leading defensive producer for the Eagles. Meanwhile, hi usage and production will likely dictate his long-term future with the team. Bennett is under contract with the team through 2020, but he has no guaranteed cash remaining on his deal after 2019. If he stays with the team on his current pact, he’ll carry a $7MM cap number in 2019 and an $8MM figure in 2020.
He still has two years left on his rookie deal, then his 5th year option. I’d expect the Cowboys to franchise tag Elliott, and they could even do it twice given how relatively low the tag generally is for the RB position. So this seems like a storyline for the 2023 or even 2024 offseason. Talk about getting ahead of a story!
The main focus of the story has to do with positional valuation (which is always in flux). The valuation of the running back position is trending upward which means teams will have fewer contract dollars to spread among the other positions. Every team of course values positional strengths differently but it will be interesting to see what position (excluding punters and kickers) is affected most by the financial gains running backs will now see.
“Hi usage” lol
Jeff McLane is always trying to create controversy with his articles. I can no longer read his articles.
Not being an Eagles fan I don’t follow him but I can’t imagine him or anyone else being as bad as Mike Florio. Rapoport has been around long enough to gain access to insiders who actually know what is going on, so he is generally the most reliable of the bunch.