NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Washington

Cowboys

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott‘s personal RBs coach Josh Hicks mentioned that the Dallas running back looks faster and “way more elusive” with his running. 

“He was way quicker, way more elusive, more fluent,” Hicks said, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “I know he’s getting better.”

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott confirmed that Elliott “looks great” in the offseason program and appears to be in the “best shape of his life.” 

“Zeke looks great,” Prescott said. “He’s in the best shape of his life. Looking fast. Obviously, everybody’s seen the clips of him working out independently with his running back coach. His cuts, just how explosive he is.”

Prescott believes Elliott is the “best running back in the league” when he’s fully healthy. 

“Excited just to have a full year with him again and getting him healthy throughout the whole season. When Zeke’s healthy and Zeke’s doing his thing, he’s the best running back in the league. It’s just exciting to see him in the best shape of his life, or best shape he’s been in the NFL. That’s going to be special for us moving forward.”

Eagles

Eagles’ veteran C Jason Kelce said he is taking one year at a time when speaking about his restructured one-year, $9 million contract with the team with two voidable years, which triggers $30 million guaranteed if he’s on the roster by June 2, 2022.  Kelce describes that the clause in his deal enables the team to decide on his future should he want to continue playing.

“For me, it’s the same as it’s been the last three years,” Kelce said. “I’m just thinking one year at a time. I feel really confident about this year. … This just puts an end date where I have to make a decision (on retirement), the team has to make a decision (on a roster move), in light of next year. I’m really not trying to think about that at all. It was just something we put in just to make sure nothing was dragged out.”

“I think there are a number of guys who I think could step in for me right now — if I’m being honest — and do a very good job,” Kelce said, via Mike Kaye of NJ Advance Media. “I think that we’re really fortunate to have a lot of depth on the offensive line.”

Kelce is confident that Eagles OL coach Jeff Stoutland will find Philadelphia’s next starting center once he moves on from the game. 

“When I’m done, Jeff will find the best five guys to be out there at the same time,” Kelce said. “Whoever is at center will be one of those five guys.”

Washington

• Mark Maske reports that Daniel Snyder can attend games, work on stadium issues, and seek new investors in the team, but Tanya Snyder will take control of daily team operations.
• Additionally, commissioner Roger Goodell must approve Snyder’s return to daily control as he puts his efforts towards building the team a new stadium.
• However, Snyder’s lawyer denies that his client will need to be reinstated by Goodell: “Any suggestion that Commissioner Goodell must approve Dan Snyder’s return to daily control is false. Dan was not suspended, so by definition he does not need to be reinstated to any position.” (Adam Schefter)