Ezekiel Elliott remained in Mexico training this week as his representatives continue to negotiate a long-term contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys, and there seems to be a growing sense that the two sides are making progress.
ESPN’s Jeff Darlington said this week he has been told by a trusted source that Elliott and the Cowboys are expected to reach an agreement prior to Week 1. That meshes with what two Dallas-area radio personalities were reporting on Friday, which is that the Cowboys are willing to pay Elliott close to Todd Gurley money and a deal could be completed before the start of next week.
Update: I'm hearing Zeke's deal will be much closer to the Gurley deal than the Bell deal. Sounds like the Cowboys will make Zeke earn more of the guarantee. @1053thefan https://t.co/Ymc2QGYecA
— Jonathon Shipman (@Shippyfunsports) August 23, 2019
BREAKING: Hello, talented media personality KT here, same source tells me Zeke is booked to return from Cabo tomorrow.
Another source tells @Shippyfunsports the Cowboys and Zeke were in contact late last night, and that a deal could come together over the weekend.@1053thefan https://t.co/hdiGHoaiVb
— Kevin Turner (@ktfuntweets) August 23, 2019
It may seem like the relationship between Elliott and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is icy at the moment, especially after a recent sarcastic remark Jones made about the running back. However, most of the reports about the negotiations claim the Elliott situation is nowhere near as tense as the one Le’Veon Bell had with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, and it is unlikely that Elliott will sit out through Week 1.
The Cowboys have the potential to have one of the best offenses in the NFC with Elliott, Dak Prescott and a full season of Amari Cooper. Jones knows that, and he seems to have a way of keeping his star players around.
