Ezekiel Elliott Says He Won’t Play In 2019 Without New Deal

According to Josina Anderson, Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott says he won’t play in 2019 unless the team signs him to a new deal. 

However, it’s believed that scenario won’t play out, as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants a new deal for Elliott before Week 1 as well. 

Elliott’s camp says they informed the Cowboys of his position in January. However, multiple Cowboys sources have said that’s not the case, per Calvin Watkins. 

Elliott reportedly is angling to surpass Rams RB Todd Gurley as the NFL’s highest-paid running back. Gurley signed a four-year $57.5 million deal last August. 

Elliott has to report to the team by today to accrue a year toward free agency, however that appears unlikely to happen. 

While Dallas has said that Elliott is an important part of their team, they’ve reportedly been focused on other extension candidates including QB Dak Prescott and WR Amari Cooper.

Elliott is in a tough position, given that the Cowboys have him under team control for another two seasons. After that, Dallas could still franchise him for the 2021 season. 

Elliott, 23, was taken with the No. 4 overall pick by the Cowboys back in 2016. He signed four-year contract worth $24,956,342, which includes a signing bonus of $16,350,068.

Elliott will make a base salary of $3.85 million for the 2019 season and another $9.1 million in 2020 under the fifth-year option of his contract. 

In 2018, Elliott appeared in 15 games for the Cowboys and rushed for 1,434 yards on 304 carries (4.7 YPC) to go along with 77 receptions for 567 yards receiving and nine touchdowns.

We’ll have more regarding Elliott as the news is available.