Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott Might Not Be Close to New Deal and NFL Reporters Are Getting Owned

Well, this news is going to do anything but reassure the perturbed Dallas Cowboys fan base.

A report dropped on Saturday which indicated that Ezekiel Elliott and America's Team were closing in on agreeing to terms of a long-term contract extension that would make him one of the highest-paid tailbacks in the NFL.

Fast forward just a few hours later, however, and WFAA reporter Mike Leslie understands that Zeke and the Cowboys might not be as close to a deal as a profusion of reporters around the league thought. He even went as far as to say that the possibility of Elliott signing a contract prior to Week 1 as "50/50."

Update: A #Cowboys front office source showed less optimism than the source quoted in above report about the momentum toward an agreement.

This source characterizes the likelihood that a deal gets done in time for Elliott to be ready to play Week 1 as “50/50”.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) September 1, 2019

But that's not all Leslie had to say on the predicament. His sources, who are reportedly well-informed on the scoop in Dallas' front office, say the Cowboys haven't even spoken to the All-Pro running back's representatives on Sunday.

Folks, the bottom line is no one knows how these discussions are progressing. Sorry.

In fact, this source says the Cowboys have not talked with Elliott's representatives today... and when asked what's left to be ironed out, the response was "Everything. We're not close."
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) September 1, 2019

It really makes you wonder where on earth the earlier reports came from. Were Leslie and Co. deceived by their sources or did they just misinterpret them?

Is it possible this is a scenario where two sides are seeing the same set of facts through different lenses, and that's what has led to the differing interpretations of the status? I suppose.

I trust both sources.

I'm not really sure what else to say besides that.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) September 1, 2019

Whatever the case, Leslie is basically trying to say is that Elliott's camp is wearing this scenario extremely close to the vest.