Ezekiel Elliott Agrees to New Contract That Makes Him NFL's Highest-Paid Running Back
By Adam Weinrib
Just in time for Week 1, the Cowboys' most important chess piece is reportedly in place, throwing their entire budget into flux.
Fresh off the plane from Cabo, Ezekiel Elliott has reportedly agreed to a deal with $50 million in guarantees to remain a Dallas Cowboy for the next eight seasons.
Ezekiel Elliott’s six-year extension with the Dallas Cowboys includes $50 million guaranteed, per @WerderEdESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 4, 2019
First on the Zeke story this am, @toddarcher.
Ezekiel Elliott Contract Details
As rumors speculated on Tuesday as the summer fervor began to die out, six years and $90 million seems to be the accurate number. A large chunk of the contract is guaranteed, blowing other similar deals out of the water.
Source: Ezekiel Elliott's deal with the Cowboys is 6 years, $90 million with $50 million guaranteed, making him the NFL's all-time highest-paid running back
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 4, 2019
If that number gets finalized, Elliott would be making $15 million per season, putting him above Todd Gurley's mark of $14.375 million.
The @dallascowboys and RB @EzekielElliott agree on a 6-year, $90M extension that makes him the highest-paid RB in the NFL. (via @RapSheet + @SlaterNFL) pic.twitter.com/XBnFpj06aA
— NFL (@NFL) September 4, 2019
Of course, now the question remains: How does Dak Prescott eventually garner the same level of security in Dallas? Following Jared Goff's market-setting deal, Prescott is owed more than ever in the interest of fairness. It's entirely unclear how Jerry Jones will be able to craft an era-appropriate deal for him, as well, and it feels like it may be time for Amari Cooper to find work elsewhere, especially following mega-deals to La'el Collins and Jaylon Smith.
So, we waited all summer just for Elliott to get exactly what he wanted, and for Jerry to enter the 2019 season his way, with a bloated roster full of rewards for his own (potentially final?) class of draft gems. How Prescott fits in is anyone's guess.