Over the weekend it looked like the Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott were nearing an extension, then things slowed down a bit. Obviously no deal has been struck, but now we have more details on what exactly is holding things up.
The two sides are apparently close on the total amount of guaranteed money in a new deal, but they’re further apart on average annual salary, sources told Calvin Watkins of The Athletic (Twitter link). Elliott has been seeking to become the league’s highest-paid running back, while the Cowboys have been reluctant to eclipse what the Rams gave Todd Gurley. Gurley got around $15MM annually, while Le’Veon Bell and David Johnson both got closer to $13MM on their extensions.
Elliott has been staying away from the team and training on his own, and the start of the regular season is now less than a week away. The Cowboys are apparently trying to get a deal done in time for Elliott to be on the field for Wednesday’s practice, the first full practice of the week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said in a video posted to Twitter.
The Cowboys called up running back Jordan Chunn from the practice squad earlier today, something they probably wouldn’t have done if they were overly confident in Zeke being back for the opener. Rapoport’s comments seemed to suggest that if something isn’t done by Wednesday, Elliott won’t be on the field in Week 1 against the Giants. Fourth-round rookie Tony Pollard will assume the lead-back role if Elliott doesn’t play.
Has elliot been away from the team training in Cabo?
Woulda offered 4.5M to McCoy and traded Zeke. Anyone that comments on any of these articles could rush for 100 yards in at least 1 game next year behind that O Line.
Except behind that o-line when he was suspended only one time did a player run over 100 yards. Only broke 65 yards twice during that time so I don’t think you can just plug any RB and get the results. Plus that o-line isn’t as elite as the past with Fredericks condition and the hole opposite Martin at guard.
Except their O Line was banged up in 2018 and is full strength this year. Anyone could get 100 yards behind this O Line…
Barkley could, but none of the other RBs in the division could.
Hahaha. Adrian Peterson couldn’t do it. Derrius Guice couldn’t do it. None of the two top backs in Philadelphia could do it.
What nonsense.
Elliott can carry a heavy load week-in and week-out but he’s not ahead of most of the lead backs in the division in terms of talent.
How many hundred yard games does Derrius Guice have? How about Sanders? They both have potential, but it’s just a wee bit early to declare how much talent they have. Howard is a meh back: he had just two 100 yard games last year. Adrian Peterson is an all-time great yet he had just three 100 yard games last year. Philly has had a great o line, but where is their stud running back? If you think that Elliot is not more talented than all of the running backs in the division, except for Barkley, you’re delusional. I need to join your FFB league.
He was suspended in 2017 and the line wasn’t banged up then
Except for the fact that you couldn’t push a lawnmower in April.
This is absurd. He’s holding the team hostage even though he has 2 years left plus a potential franchise tag year. Let him sit the next 3 years if he wants to play hardball.
All that does is send a message around the league that you don’t reward players for performance. What intelligent player wants to have anything to do with organizations like that when the average career is only about 5 years in length? The reality is that market value for talent will escalate every year so you either accept that like every other owner or become the punchline to NFL jokes.
Jerry let this get out of hand. You either tell him to f off and play out his contract or pay him what he wants. Don’t tell him we’ll give you almost all but we only value you as a 2nd best rb in the league. At this point he’s in charge. Pay the extra few mil and get it done
Elliot is in charge? LOL! He is in the fourth year of his contract and his fifth year has already been exercised and they can tag him for two years that’s a four year window. Also what I have seen out of Tony Pollard tells you even more Elliot does not hold all the cards.
At some point Elliott has to consider his alternatives. I’m all for players getting paid, but this is getting absurd.
If he plays for Dallas he:
– runs behind a top offensive line
– plays for one of the more iconic football franchises
– knows he has a team that stands behind him when he acts like an idiot
– pays no income taxes in Texas
– can get untold more endorsements than he would in most places
– has a chance to get in the ring of honor
– after he retires can do whatever he wants to in Dallas, along the lines of Staubach, Randy White, Aikman, Romo, Nate Newton, Deion, Irving, etc..
If he keeps playing hardball he can:
– be subject to fines
– have to wait another year for free agency
– end up with a lesser team, such as Tampa
– play for his salary this year
– continue to lose favor with the local media & fans
– risk alienating his teammates
– risk losing out on endorsements
The biggest thing he seems to be overlooking is the endorsement factor. He could easily make millions simply by being one of the Cowboys greats.
If he plays there’s is also little to nothing to prevent the Cowboys from running him into the ground the next two seasons (and maybe three seasons with the franchise tag) and then cutting him loose. Imo he’s holding out a year too early given his contract, but if he’s willing to miss games and paychecks then so be it. If the Cowboys start to lose games, Jerry will end up giving Zeke a blank check and if the Cowboys start hot, Jerry will be saying “Zeke who?” all over again.
Very perceptive comment. Elliott has already done a lot to damage his brand both in Dallas and around the league with an early holdout and ridiculous demands.
That Gurley contract will cripple the Rams for the next three years.
Money is way to much nowadays
Owners were saying that in 1920 and they will be saying it when the NFL’s 200th anniversary rolls around.