The Dallas Cowboys have upped their contract extension offer to star Running Back Ezekiel Elliott, reportedly nearing the league-leading amount that the Los Angeles Rams gave Todd Gurley last year. They hope to end Zeke's holdout which has kept him away from the team since the start of training camp.
This report from 105.3 The Fan comes less then two weeks before the Cowboys open the 2019 regular season against the New York Giants. While Zeke didn't play in any preseason games last year, we'd certainly like to see him practicing with his teammates in the days leading up to real games.
BREAKING: Source: #Cowboys Offer To #EzekielElliott Approaches Gurley Deal – With A Catch https://t.co/W6uW8rSVBE via @fishsports & @Shippyfunsports pic.twitter.com/N7lI8RzfGO
— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) August 27, 2019
The last reported offer to Elliott would have made him the second-highest-paid RB in the league, putting him between Gurley and Le'Veon Bell. But after leading the NFL in rushing YPG the last three seasons, Zeke deservedly believes he should be the top earner at his position.
Unfortunately, the Cowboys are trying to combat what teams like the Rams and Jets have done to the RB market. They don't think any RB is worth what Gurley got, and they are trying to avoid topping that amount and limiting themselves with other salary needs throughout the roster.
But the Cowboys' potential cap woes aren't Elliott's problem. He's playing the league's most dangerous position for injury risk and shortened careers. You can't blame Zeke for trying to get paid now before one bad hit kills his leverage.
Will this increased offer be enough to end the holdout and get Elliott back in the fold? We should find out soon.
