Last season Le’Veon Bell set a precedent by sitting out the entire year as part of his demand for a new contract from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now Bell is with the New York Jets. Could Ezekiel Elliott be the new Bell? It’s early in the proceedings yet, a deal getting done is definitely a possibility, if not likely.
However, if nothing gets done, Elliott is prepared to sit out the Cowboys’ season, per ESPN’s Josina Anderson:
Per @JosinaAnderson … Zeke is not going to play in 2019 without a new contract. pic.twitter.com/HJk6D6M4lV
— trey wingo (@wingoz) August 6, 2019
Elliott most likely is seeking to unseat the Rams’ Todd Gurley III as the NFL highest-paid running back. Gurley signed a four-year contract extension that is worth up to $60 million and includes $45 million in guarantees.
Bell’s pact with the Jets comes in at four-years, $52 million and $27 million guaranteed.
That leaves Elliott and the Chargers’ Melvin Gordon – both in contract holdouts – as the next in the line among top NFL running backs getting to their second contract.
The situation between Elliott and the Cowboys is a bit of a unique circumstance in that Elliott is under contract for 2019 and 2020 yet. His base salary is scheduled to be $3.8 million this year and $9.1 million next.
Dallas also has quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper who are of paramount importance to their success but are in the last year of their current contracts.
Back in Oxnard for #Cowboys camp today and Wednesday and a few new details on the contracts front. I’m told the team has “generous” offers on the table for their QB, RB and WR. Putting each one in the top 5 “highest paid” at their positions.
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) August 6, 2019
The 24-year-old Elliott has rushed for 4.048 yards on 868 carries in his three years as a pro to date. He’s also added 135 catches for 1,199 receiving yards and 32 total touchdowns.
Outside of Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys’ roster includes Alfred Morris, Tony Pollard, Mike Webster Jr., Jordan Chunn, and Darius Jackson at running back.
