NFL Notes: Ezekiel Elliott, CBA, Kevin Colbert

Ezekiel Elliott

• Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott is aiming to top Rams RB Todd Gurley‘s deal to be the NFL’s highest-paid running back, despite NFL teams as a whole wanting to reject Gurley’s deal as the market-setter, according to Yahoo!’s Charles Robinson
• Robinson writes that NFL teams, the Cowboys potentially included, are trying to roll the running back market back down from the $14.375 million per year Gurley signed for in 2018. 
• Per a veteran contract advisor, teams would rather pay closer to the $8.25 million per year deal Falcons RB Devonta Freeman signed in 2017 for good running backs while paying the “premium” backs closer to $12 million or less. 
• Robinson adds Gurley’s deal has already been slightly moved back when RB Le’Veon Bell signed for $13.125 million with the Jets despite also being considered a “unicorn back.”
• Further complicating the situation for Dallas is the contract status of QB Dak Prescott and WR Amari Cooper, both seeking to be paid at or near the top of their respective positions. 
• Elliott is flying to Mexico to train like he did during his six-game suspension instead of joining the Cowboys in training camp, per 105.3 The Fan’s Kevin Turner.
• Robinson adds that things are unusually quiet around negotiations between Elliott and the Cowboys. His feeling is that Elliott is in training camp at some point but adds EVP Stephen Jones is looking for “a few team wins” at the bargaining table.

CBA

• According to Pro Football Talk, Monday’s scheduled meeting between the NFL and NFLPA has been postponed. 
• The two sides will reconvene sometime during the first week of August as CBA negotiations continue. 
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says the two sides will meet Tuesday and have another meeting planned in mid-August. 

Kevin Colbert

• The Athletic’s Ed Bouchette mentions Steelers GM Kevin Colbert‘s reluctance to sign a contract extension could be an indicator he’s looking at joining another team following the 2020 draft. 
• Bouchette says the Carolina Panthers could be an option, as Colbert is familiar with owner David Tepper, who previously held a minority stake in the Steelers.
• Tepper did not hire current Panthers GM Marty Hurney and if the team misses the playoffs again in 2019 he could look to shake things up. 
• Tepper has also already convinced former Steelers VP of planning and development Mark Hart to join him in Carolina as his VP and COO. Hart previously spent 20 years with the Steelers.