Cowboys launch Ezekiel Elliott, finish of an period in Dallas soccer

The previous 4th total decide of the Cowboys is lower from the roster.

• By
  
  David Howman
  
• on March 15, 2023 2:28 pm

Hypothesis had been swirling for the reason that finish of the common season over what the Cowboys would do with veteran working again Ezekiel Elliott, however that hypothesis got here to an finish on Wednesday because the Cowboys determined to launch the previous fourth total decide of the 2016 NFL Draft.

The transfer comes because of an out that was inserted into Elliott’s large contract extension he signed previous to the 2019 season. Whereas it made Elliott the best paid working again within the NFL on the time, it additionally gave Dallas the choice to get out from his contract this offseason. With the choice to designate Elliott as a post-June 1st lower, the Cowboys save a complete of $10.9 million.

Elliott turned a star straight away for the Cowboys by main the league in speeding for 2 of his first three seasons, and averaging 4.6 yards per carry over his first 4 years. However Elliott’s play started to say no as his workload elevated. He had a profession excessive six fumbles in 2020 earlier than setting a profession low in yards per sport in 2021, breaking that determine this previous yr.

Elliott’s decline in play coincided with the rise of Tony Pollard, whom the staff positioned the franchise tag on earlier this offseason. Pollard provided extra explosiveness and pace than Elliott, being the youthful again with much less carries beneath his belt. After pleas from the fan base for a number of years, Pollard turned a extra central determine to the Cowboys offense in 2022, and it’s why they felt comfy utilizing the franchise tag on him. Nonetheless, it additionally had the impact of forcing the Cowboys to reevaluate Elliott and his contract.

It stays to be seen what’s subsequent for Elliott. The free agent marketplace for working backs isn’t what it as soon as was, and Elliott already has lots of put on and tear on him. The chance does exist that Dallas could attempt to re-sign him to a considerably cheaper contract, as the 2 sides had reportedly been discussing a contract restructuring previous to Elliott’s launch. Elliott will most likely be capable to discover a touchdown spot someplace within the league, although it’s unlikely he’ll get a deal just like what he had been taking part in on.

As for the Cowboys, they’ve now freed up much more cap area to proceed constructing out their roster following strikes to signal Leighton Vander Esch and Donovan Wilson whereas buying and selling for Stephon Gilmore. There’s no apparent subsequent step for them, however Dallas has ensured that they at the very least have the flexibility to be extra aggressive this offseason than they sometimes have previously.

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