Ezekiel Elliott is apparently going to hold out. While no one is officially using the “H-word” just yet, signs are certainly pointing that way. Friday, Elliott didn’t show up to Dallas Cowboys training camp for his morning physical and conditioning run.
Yesterday, the star running back skipped the team’s charter flight to Los Angeles, but still, nobody wants to say “hold out,” even though it’s looking more and more like that’s what’s happening.
#Cowboys players have their conditioning run in a few hours, and still no sign of RB Ezekiel Elliott. But Dallas brass and Elliott’s agents have had some contract extension talks, I’m told. It’s not close. But there have been discussions. pic.twitter.com/Q5TLB4YkJ3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 26, 2019
According to the NFL Network, Elliott and the Cowboys are “having discussions” and his fellow players, according to Jane Slater, are “shocked by this… ‘He doesn’t seem like a hold-out guy.'”
He sure is looking like a “hold-out” guy to me.
Elliott is looking at a $40,000 a day fine for every day he misses at camp. With him and the Dallas brass in talks, it’s likely that won’t be assessed and they might be able to get him in with a promise that negotiations on his new deal will immediately begin once quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper are taken care of. The former first round pick out of Ohio State is still under contract with the Cowboys for the next two seasons.
Kansas City’s Chris Jones shows up to camp
While Elliott has been coy (and now absent) from Cowboys camp, there was every indication that Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones was heading for a hold out as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. Instead, the star defensive lineman showed up Friday for a team meeting at Missouri Western State University.
1/2 Despite not having a new deal, Chiefs’ DT Chris Jones is not holding out and is reporting to camp on time today, per the Katz brothers that represent him. More….
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 26, 2019
If the Chiefs needed a sign of good faith from one of their best defensive players, that’s a pretty solid one right there.
Jones was a second round pick out of Mississippi State in 2016 and has been nothing short of a home run. Last year he started 11 games, played in all 16 and recorded 40 tackles, 19 for a loss, two forced fumbles, five passes defended, one interception, one defensive touchdown and 15.5 sacks. He’s due to make $1.19 million this season. He’s also due for a significant pay raise.
Now the Chiefs have no excuse not to give him one as soon as possible.
