Ezekiel Elliott Officially a No-Show at Cowboys Camp as Contract Drama Mounts
By Michael Luciano
Get your popcorn ready, because the uneasy situation surrounding Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys is about to get kicked into high gear.
Elliott, last season's league-leading rusher, has officially begun holding out from Cowboys camp in search of a bigger contract, and his demand comes at a time when quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper are also looking to secure the bag. As the Cowboys started their conditioning program in Oxnard, Calif., their star running back was nowhere to be seen, surely causing a few headaches around the grounds.
My team sources tell me Ezekiel Elliott was not on site for the morning physical or conditioning run. I’m also told that while the #Cowboys can fine him it doesn’t necessarily mean they will. That’s at each team’s discretion.
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) July 26, 2019
Elliott ran for 1,434 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2018, leading the NFL in yards per game for the third straight season with 95.6. Elliott has more than earned a new deal, but the Cowboys could find themselved stretched thin financially given the defensive stars they've just paid or still need to pay, as well as Prescott and Cooper's own contract extension standoffs.
Zeke's agent has had discussions with the Cowboys, but they are reportedly not close on a deal, as Elliott would want a deal that exceeds Todd Gurley's record-breaking deal among running backs.
#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
Zeke may have two years left on his rookie deal after the Cowboys picked up his fith-year option, but this contract dispute could get ugly fast if he isn't paid or traded in due time. These waters will be tough for Jason Garrett and Co. to navigate, and they don't have a moment to waste.