Can we call it a “hold out” now? All-Universe Ezekiel Elliott is not only a no-show at Dallas Cowboys camp while his agents negotiate a new contract with the team, he’s actually leaving the country.
Zeke is on his way to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico to “train” while the nuances and dollar amounts in his new contract are worked out. That’s the idea, at least, but team owner Jerry Jones is talking like maybe the two-time NFL rushing leader isn’t that important to the team’s success after all.
EXCLUSIVE: #Cowboys camp holdout RB #EzekielElliott, per a report from @1053thefan @ktfuntweets, is in DFW now and is readying for a flight to Cabo. pic.twitter.com/DTEpI6HT92
— mike fisher ✭ (@fishsports) July 29, 2019
“The point there is, you don’t have to have a rushing champion to win a Super Bowl,” Jones told CBS DFW. “… (Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys running back) Emmitt (Smith) was the first one to do it.”
Jones is wrong about that. Smith achieved rushing and Super Bowl titles in three seasons, 1992, 1993 and 1994. Terrell Davis did it in 1998 with the Denver Broncos, but they’re the only two. He’s not that far off.
Elliott apparently likes it down in Cabo. Two years ago, he spent his six-game suspension there. The first rounder out of Ohio State still has two years left on his rookie deal, so it’s surprising to see the Cowboys blink this fast with his hold out, especially with contracts for quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper still unfinished.
“You don't have to have a rushing champion to win a Super Bowl,” Jerry Jones pointed out when discussing Zeke's contract situation https://t.co/UP7yycoRgG
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 29, 2019
Zeke is due to make $3.853 million this season and $9.099 million next season. The rumor is he wants Todd Gurley money, to average more than $14 million a season. The market just isn’t there as Le’Veon Bell showed this last offseason. It could be the Cowboys know they’ll have to pay Elliott $13 million to keep him and want to get it over with.
Jones obviously needs Elliott signed long term and in camp. He’s got a prolific offense in Dallas now, one he’s not enjoyed since the heyday of Smith, Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin. Now he’s just got to get them all locked in.
“You’ve gotta do all of the things along with having Zeke that allow you to have other players so that you can win the Super Bowl.” Jones said. “That’s what we’re going through.”
