No matter potential pay lower, Cowboys ought to launch Ezekiel Elliott

With all of the speak about RB Ezekiel Elliott, it’s time to transfer on from him, even when he’s keen to return to the group on a reduced worth.

• By
  
  ChrisHalling
  
• on February 17, 2023 2:00 pm

One of many larger questions surrounding the Dallas Cowboys heading into the offseason is the standing of RB Ezekiel Elliott. Since being drafted in 2016, Elliott has had an exceptional profession in Dallas. He has amassed 10,598 all-purpose yards and scored 80 complete touchdowns in his seven-year profession with the Cowboys. Nevertheless, he has statistically been declining the previous few seasons. In 2022, he averaged only a mere 3.8 yards per carry. This is not going to lower it for a working again who had a base wage of $12.4 million this previous season. Elliott is ready to have a base wage of $10.9 million in 2023, and is underneath contract by means of 2026. Nevertheless, his contract is ready up in a fashion that provides the Cowboys entrance workplace a possible out within the 2023 offseason.

Elliott has openly admitted that he has considered his future in Dallas. He understands that many imagine it might not be clever of the group to pay him the cash he’s at present set to make.

“I’ve positively considered it,” Elliott mentioned, by way of The Dallas Morning Information. “I wish to be right here. I don’t have a crystal ball; I can’t let you know the long run. However I positively wish to be right here.”

Because the Cowboys season got here to an in depth within the divisional spherical of the playoffs, there have been a number of stories that may recommend that each Elliott and the Cowboys entrance workplace have mutual curiosity in bringing the veteran again at a reduced worth. A report came out from ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday that gave additional perception on a possible pay lower state of affairs.

Former Dallas Cowboys participant Emmitt Smith, arguably the very best working again in NFL historical past, additionally opened up on the scenario. He believes that the Dallas Cowboys ought to discover a option to retain each Elliott and RB Tony Pollard.

Here’s a quote that he gave to NBC Sports Pro Football Talk,

“I’ll franchise tag Pollard and I’ll go for a contract restructure with Zeke. However I’m maintaining each, and the rationale why is as a result of we’ve acquired to get Pollard again wholesome, and we want Zeke, and we want Malik as properly. We’d like that three-headed monster proper now to rotate. Malik offers us an opportunity to get Pollard time to get again wholesome once more.”

Regardless of a number of individuals near the group reportedly eager to discover a option to carry Elliott again to Dallas, it’s time for the entrance workplace to let him go and head in a brand new route.

Tony Pollard was arguably probably the most electrical participant on the Cowboys offense this previous season. He had a profession 12 months, racking up 1,378 all objective yards and 12 complete touchdowns. Pollard is a pending free agent, and the group must make it a precedence to carry him again. Pollard is simply 25 years previous, and has a whole lot of high quality soccer forward of him.

Retaining Elliott in Dallas can be the entrance workplace holding onto one thing that’s the previous. Elliott is undoubtedly a fan-favorite. He has introduced many thrilling performs and reminiscences in his tenure in Dallas. Nevertheless, any play which he’s on the sector as an alternative of Pollard is a hindrance to the offense. Pollard has proven his potential to interrupt any run open for a 50-yard achieve. Elliott doesn’t have this related burst, and is fortunate to succeed in the second stage on his runs. Pollard additionally has a extra dependable impression within the receiving sport, with a lot better catching potential than Elliott. It will be higher for the Cowboys to maneuver on from Elliott, and make Pollard their clear RB1 of the long run.

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