Star Blog
Will Ezekiel Elliott Ever Receive a Long-Term Extension?
While Zack Martin walks around The Star in Frisco being the highest-paid guard in NFL history, other Dallas Cowboys might be day-dreaming about when their time for a similar long-term contract arrives. Cowboys Nation is already thinking about it at least. Dak Prescott, DeMarcus Lawrence and maybe even Ezekiel Elliott might see an extension soon enough, if they're able to put up a big-time performance in 2018.
Having said that, Zeke might never see a big Pay Day like Zack Martin did earlier this week.
Don't get me wrong, Ezekiel Elliott is one of the top running backs in the league and has been flat out dominant since entering the league in 2016. There isn't a single doubt about his abilities and about what his role on the team is.
But Elliott has received quite the workload during his first two seasons in the league and the Cowboys might not change that anytime soon. At the end of the day, Zeke and the running game have become this team's identity.
Through 25 starts, the super star running back has had 622 touches, averaging 25 touches per game. Le'Veon Bell, who's also one of the finest players at the position, averaged 23 touches per game during his first two seasons. Gurley averaged 20.
While I understand Cowboys Nation's desire to see Zeke involved in the passing game, taking a look at how they use Elliott makes you realize it's more than comprehensible that they don't use him as much as a pass-catcher.
The running back position is a tough one. Players are worn out and their careers tend to be shorter than the rest. This brings us to an inevitable question.
What will Ezekiel Elliott's future look like in Dallas?
The most likely scenario is that his fifth-year option is eventually picked up so he can play through 2020 at the very least. But what about the year after that? Will the Cowboys hand him a long-term extension? It would have to be an expensive one.
By that time, Elliott will still be a young player. But how young will the then 26-year old running back will look like on the field if he keeps getting 25 touches per game?
When the time for an extension arrives, the Cowboys' front office might go the way the Steelers' have gone with Le'Veon Bell, handing him the franchise tag once or twice in order to keep him wearing the Star while not committing to the guy they know they have worn down over the years.
Of course, there's an alternate scenario. Maybe Elliott turns out to be a freak that can carry the ball 300 times every season and keep playing at the same level that he is right now.
I wouldn't be so hopeful though. The Cowboys are desperate for a championship run and they know that Zeke will be a huge part of the team that finally brings the Lombardi back to Dallas. Don't expect Zeke's workload to be reduced. If anything, it might even increase after a six-game suspension in 2017.
We're a long way from knowing the answer to this question and debates about Dak and about D-Law will likely come before this one. Even still, Zack Martin's extension is giving Cowboys fans a lot to think about. Ezekiel Elliott's future is one of the many things in the mind of Cowboys Nation.
Tell me what you think about "Will Ezekiel Elliott Ever Receive a Long-Term Extension?" in the comments below, or tweet me @MauNFL and let’s talk football! If you like football and are looking for a Dallas Cowboys show in Spanish, don’t miss my weekly Facebook Live! show, Primero Cowboys!
The 2018 season was a two-part tale for the Dallas Cowboys. The first is the story of a mediocre 3-5 team that couldn't get it going offensively. The second part is about a football team that turned its season around, made the playoffs, got a win in the postseason and ultimately lost to the team that ended up representing the NFC in Super Bowl LIII, the Los Angeles Rams.
Surely, 2018 didn't go as planned. The storylines leading to last season are actually very different from the ones we're hearing today. Let's take a look at a few examples of how the tables have turned for the Dallas Cowboys.
The need for a true WR1
Last season, Dak Prescott and the Cowboys preached the philosophy of not needing a #1 wide receiver. While that could've sound encouraging at the time, once the season began the team was proven wrong. They did need a WR1. Fortunately, this season we won't have to worry about it. This year, Dez Bryant shouldn't be a discussion topic among Cowboys' fans.
Amari Cooper is in the house. And he's been pretty good since he started playing with a Star on his helmet. If we have conversations about the WR position, they will not be about who's the #1 guy. With Michael Gallup showing up late in the season, it probably won't be about who is #2 either.
Back on top of the NFC East
Last year, the Dallas Cowboys were not really the favorites to win the NFC East. The Philadelphia Eagles had just made history by winning their first Super Bowl ever and it seemed like the Cowboys would have to get a wildcard spot to play in January. Now it's the Cowboys back on top after sweeping the Eagles and turning their once 3-5 season around.
That of course, means a tougher schedule next season. However, it's nice to be back on top of the division. These two teams will surely have an intense race for the division title next season. Maybe we even see them both in the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Sean Lee's uncertain future
I'm pretty sure no one expected Sean Lee to be considered a potential cap casualty for the 2019 season. Even if he was, it would've probably been anticipating an injury or something like that. No one would've imagined that Leighton Vander Esch would be so good to take Sean Lee's job.
The Cowboys' first round rookie truly earned the starting role as the defense's weak linebacker and he should keep it. With Sean Lee set to return to the field, I'm sure we didn't expect him to be a backup by now. We'll have to wait and see if the Cowboys decide to part ways with him. As a fan, it would certainly be painful. But we can't deny it would be a move that makes sense.
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It's a crazy franchise on a crazy league. Who knows how things will go from now on, but the Dallas Cowboys certainly look like a promising team heading into the 2019 offseason. Here at Inside The Star, we'll continue to update you with the latest on your favorite NFL team.
Tell me what you think about "How The Tables Have Turned for 2019 Dallas Cowboys" in the comments below, or tweet me @MauNFL and let’s talk football! If you like football and are looking for a Dallas Cowboys show in Spanish, don’t miss my weekly Facebook Live! show, Primero Cowboys!
Tell me what you think about "Cowboys en Español: Volviendo a la Idea de Earl Thomas" in the comments below, or tweet me @MauNFL and let’s talk football! If you like football and are looking for a Dallas Cowboys show in Spanish, don’t miss my weekly Facebook Live! show, Primero Cowboys!
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Derek Robinson
June 15, 2018 at 1:50 pm
Zeke is the best running back in the NFL. Bar none!. If he’s the leading rusher in the NFL this year, he should be the highest paid RB in the league. PERIOD!!!
alan reyes
June 16, 2018 at 4:51 pm
Since Elliott is not expected to be part of the passing game this year as Austin is taking that role, Elliott cannot be considered among the best backs such as Gurley and Bell and others who are superior runners but really break the defense by being superior receivers. The Boys evidently have decided Elliott simp!y is limited as a receiver and traded for a 3rd down back. Power ,slashing runners are common and you don’t need to pay a lot for a slasher who can get 4.1 behind the Boys line and that is all Elliott was last season.
BUDDY
June 16, 2018 at 5:04 pm
Obviously you’re very ignorant about football. After your comment everything you said means absolutely nothing.
Chuck Wright
June 16, 2018 at 8:52 am
Any talk of extension should at least have some breakdown of cap. Zeke is a 5th year guy so at best he’s 2 off seasons away from any extensions.
Martin done, D Law will get his after this year assuming another big year, think Lawrence is allowed to walk and we’ll receive a 3rd round comp for him. Dak is the other pending extension and much of that will depend on 2018 though I can see him not extended until 2019.
Great source though not yet updated with Zach’s new deal but the tabs let you walk forward thru 2022
https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/dallas-cowboys/
alan reyes
June 16, 2018 at 4:39 pm
Actually, Elliott was very average and looked a step slower in 2017 such that Elliott was not at all an elite back last season. Unlike other actually elite backs, Elliot has not shown a feel for being a receiver. Elliott is a slashing power runner with speed but is not elusive. He takes a lot of hits. It is unlikely Elliott will continue as an effective back beyond his rookie contract given his limitation to being a 2 down back and the punishment his style of running absorbs. The real question on offense is can Elliott even be as effective in 2018 as 2016 or was last season’s regression permanent? Remember, even after he returned from suspension claiming he was in the best shape of his life, he was not dominant. Elliott has to prove he is not a one year wonder.
BUDDY
June 16, 2018 at 5:07 pm
You don’t watch very many Cowboys game apparently. Zeke is the best RB in the league. Last year would of f*cked anybody up. You will see how great he is this year with all the b*llshit behind him.
Not your goat
June 16, 2018 at 11:03 pm
I think the plan for Zeke all along has been to burn every mile off him in 5 years while we continue to build and maintain our offensive line. When we talk about a player, especially his workload we are usually paraphrasing the coaches and trainers from how they comment on each guy, like Kamara or Hunt you want him to “get touches but keep him healthy” and having “a pitch count”, in Zekes instance you only hear about giving him the largest workload he can handle since his 1st day as a Cowboy. Sure he’s a workhorse but RB’s don’t have a lifespan in years, they have a certain amount of reps. Guys that can blow the game open just can’t touch the ball 25 times a game, come December if he’s still on the field he is lucky to be at 70%. Zeke is a grinder and the type of guy who stays on the field because he wears your defense down late and unless your name is Jerome Bettis you just can’t do that for very long. You can’t tell me Marion Barber doesn’t come to mind when you think about paying a guy like that on a Veteran deal so I really think Dallas drafted Zeke as a 5 year lease from the beginning. How often have we seen any runningback go for 2500 yards in their 1st 2 seasons (probably 1 every 2 years) now how many of them have a 9 year career or even more still productive then? Because that’s what it would take to retain him, by then 4 years, 15mil per. The more likely scenario if he still has miles left and Zeke is still this monster producing at a high level we will Franchise him 2 years and let him walk for his 8th season and use the money elsewhere while looking for his replacement in the draft. Remember too, he was suspended to be a gift for Tony to finally get him a championship, if we were thinking long term there’s no doubt Ramsey should have been the pick.