Report: Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys still ‘far apart’ in contract talks

Ezekiel Elliott continues to hold out for a new contract with the start of the regular season less than two weeks away, and the Dallas Cowboys are not on the verge of agreeing to a long-term extension with him.

Elliott and the Cowboys remained “far apart” in contract negotiations as of Thursday, according to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. While there is still optimism that a deal can be reached before the Cowboys open up their season against the New York Giants, they have not yet offered to make Elliott the highest-paid running back in football.

Although he continues to work out on his own in Mexico, Elliott has had contact with the Cowboys. Hill reports that he has spoken with Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones in recent days, though he has not spoken with team owner Jerry Jones.

“We’re always confident we’re going to get something done,” Stephen Jones told reporters on Wednesday. “We’re going to exhaust all resources to try to do it. I know Zeke wants to be here. I know his guys want to try to figure something out. Those things, you just never know until it’s done.”

Jerry Jones expressed confidence at a public appearance on Wednesday that Elliott will be with the Cowboys at the start of the season, so that could be a good indicator of where the negotiations are at. Although, some remarks he made earlier in the week were concerning for Dallas fans.

Even if the sides are “far apart,” there has likely been an open dialogue for a while. All it takes is one offer from Dallas.