Cowboys Running Back Ezekiel Elliott Faces A Contract Decision That May Get Him Released

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The Dallas Cowboys finished their season with a tough loss to the 49ers in the Divisional round of the playoffs. Now they face the same questions every team does, what can we do to improve our team? And Ezekiel Elliott’s contract is in the center of that question.

In 2019, Zeke signed a six-year extension with the Cowboys worth $90 million, with $50 million guaranteed. Those guarantees have now been paid he has no more guaranteed money left on his contract. That means the Cowboys can release him a lot more easily.

During a segment on NFL Live, ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared that Elliott’s agents will now figure out his value around the during the NFL combine, where many team representatives gather in one place. Then they’ll decide if they’ll be willing to accept a restructure contract from the Cowboys to stay on the team.

Decline In Play

The 2022 season was Zeke’s least productive year of his career.

Elliott has lows in total yards rushing, yards per carry (first time below 4.0) and caught the fewest passes. It was the first season in his career without at last one touchdown catch.

Zeke is getting older for a running back and he’s been incredibly slower and less explosive.

Meanwhile, his backfield mate Tony Pollard ran circle around him in efficiency despite playing behind the same Offensive Line in the same system.

Pollard is a pending free-agent and the team is reportedly planning on tagging him.

If Zeke doesn’t accept a restructured contract and gets released, the last play in his career with be him getting crushed by a Linebacker on the final play of the season.