We learned earlier this week that the Cowboys had extended a lucrative contract extension to Ezekiel Elliott, but it still doesn’t sound like either side is making much progress on talks. Clarence Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram tweets that there’s been no new movement on the extension front. Hill passes along a brief quote from Director of Player Personnel Stephen Jones, who said the two sides aren’t close because there hasn’t been a lot of “activity.”
Elliott has reportedly been eyeing a contract that would be worth around $15MM per season. The Cowboys reportedly offered a contract that would have made the 24-year-old one of the two highest-paid running backs in the NFL. For reference, Todd Gurley is leading running backs with an average annual value of around $14.38MM, and Le’Veon Bell is currently at second with a $13.13MM AAV.
For what it’s worth, the running back retweeted a comment from former NFL lineman Joe Thomas, who indicated that Elliott should top Gurley’s deal:
“Throughout the course of NFL history, if you are the best player at your position (or clearly one of the best) when you re-sign a second contract with the team that drafted you, you usually beat the highest paid current contract at your position by 15 to 20%,” Thomas said.
Owner Jerry Jones recently made comments that the team is going to hold firm on their offer, which means there might be a significant monetary discrepancy if Elliott is indeed seeking $15MM per year.
While it doesn’t sound like Zeke’s holdout will be ending anytime soon, Jones apparently isn’t concerned. During an appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, the executive sounded optimistic about the prospect of signing their star running back (as well as wideout Amari Cooper).
“We feel confident things will get done,” said Jones (via Twitter). “Things happen real quick, sometime within hours.”
If Jones plays hardball and makes Elliott sit an entire year, is Joe Thomas willing to pick up his entire salary for that period of time….always love it when another athlete, and this ones retired nonetheless, makes comments like this and eggs on the situation.
Its Jones team, and Elliott is in year 3 or a 5 year contract….exactly who’s in the right and who’s in the wrong here…
Elliot never got to negotiate the terms of his 1st contract. Beyond that, if Zeke doesn’t want to put his body through hell without guaranteed money, I can’t blame him.
Pay the man and he’ll play.
He has a contract – he can play or simply vacation in Cabo
Why. He signed this contract, correct? Live up to your word Zeke.
He signed a contract to play. He’s being paid. When it’s up he may do whatever he pleases. Until then… get back in the field or retire and go to work at McDonald’s. See if they put up with you crap.
Owners also sign that contract and can release players at any time
Year 4
always love it when a non-athelete on a comment section makes comments like this despite knowing nothing about the situation…
It is a comment section. The comment section exists so that non-athletes like us can make comments on stories posted on this site. Not sure why that’s difficult to understand.
He’s absolutely correct though.
Trade him! There’s no telling how much a team would give up!!
So much for ESPN being the most trusted name in sports.
They lost that 9 years ago
If not sooner
If the dude would stop the bone-headed moves off the field he would deserve a lucrative contract. How many times has he already been suspended?
I believe if you add all his suspension’s together he’s been suspended one time for 6 games
Who Cares?
Jones and Zelenograd care. Lol. But yeah your right. Lame.
Top players stay out of trouble.
Jerry has had his back on all his off the field problems. Zeke should take the money being offered, and be a team player.
Sign him to a contract that starts after his 2 years left are up. Give him a big sighing bonus. Make it 3 years for a total of 5. All the guaranteed money is in this year and next add in other bonuses to eat up all the guaranteed money. Put in there an explicit clause saying if he is suspended again all guaranteed money is void and if he is cut he pays back the unearned money. Make year 3 $15 mill then add a mill or so the years after. I would think the biggest sticking point would be the clause for behavior. The rest lets them cut him after year 2 if they want because of attitude or performance with no dead money.
Why would Zeke do this??
And he would laugh at that offer.
So in other words, Zeke should get hosed.
Just pay him. If you are offering 13+ mil a year but he wants 15. Just give it to the kid. Could the extra 2 mil be used elsewhere? Sure, but is it going to cost the team? No
“Throughout the course of NFL history, if you are the best player at your position (or clearly one of the best) when you re-sign a second contract with the team that drafted you, you usually beat the highest paid current contract at your position by 15 to 20%,” So can someone explain why Prescott is maybe top 13-18 QB range but is asking for top 5 $?
Thomas’s follow up tweet also mentioned zekes red flags and that he’s one incident away from a lengthy suspension.. which is a very valid point! Zeke also plays a style that won’t age well, that’s why he knows he needs to get paid now. Even though he has no leverage.. he should take the offer on the table..
Don’t let this distract you from the fact that in 1966, Al Bundy scored four touchdowns in a single game while playing for the Polk High School Panthers in the 1966 city championship game versus Andrew Johnson High School, including the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds against his old nemesis, Bubba “Spare Tire” Dixon.
If Joe Thomas expects Zeke to get 15-20% more than Gurley he’s smoking crack. You can’t pay a position player that much money when you don’t have to. He’s under contract for 2 more years along with possible 2 franchise tags. Zeke has no leverage.
Just fine him for not showing up and refuse to give him a deal at this point. I’d pull the top 2 offer.
Joe then tell Zeke the first thing you need to do is honor your first contract.Too bad Zeke only read to part about second contract because he is as dumb as a rock