How Ezekiel Elliott's Deal Affects Melvin Gordon's Future Contract

After an offseason's worth of back-and-forth wrangling over a new and improved contract, the Dallas Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott finally agreed to a lucrative extension on Wednesday that will make the Ohio State product the NFL's highest-paid player at his position.

The money -- six years and a max of $90 million -- sets a new precedent for the price tag of franchise tailbacks, as Zeke will be making an average annual value of $15 million per year, thereby putting him above Todd Gurley's $14.375 yearly salary.

So, where does Elliott's trendsetting deal leave Melvin Gordon, who isn't even permitted to discuss terms of a new deal until after the upcoming campaign?

The Los Angeles Chargers were pronounced in their reluctance to give Gordon, a two-time Pro-Bowler who is a world-beating rusher, receiver, and blocker, over $10 million per year.

When you realize the fact that David Johnson, Le'Veon Bell, Gurley, and Elliott -- star running backs that have all signed recent extensions -- will be making at or above a $13 million AAV, Gordon's dilemma becomes all the more daunting.

In the final year of his rookie contract, his age 26 season, the Wisconsin product is set to rake in just $5.6 million. His production deserves more than $10 mil per year, but Zeke's new earnings will only further persuade the Bolts to hold tight on extending their star running back, and possibly even trade him for future assets.

And a trade isn't likely to formulate because the Chargers are reportedly asking for first- and fifth-round picks in return. What sane franchise would cough up that kind of value after the Texans just traded Jadeveon Clowney, a stud at his position, for a third-rounder and two no-names?

An ugly situation in La La Land just morphed into something much more unpleasant. And LA has Zeke Elliott and the Cowboys to thank for it.