The Dallas Cowboys are still trying to work out a long-term contract extension with Ezekiel Elliott before the start of the regular season, and the star running back is apparently serious about not reporting if the two sides cannot come to an agreement.
Elliott does not plan to show up for Week 1 and insists he will not play at all in 2019 if he doesn’t get a new deal, ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports. However, there remains optimism that Elliott and the Cowboys will work something out.
Source added** they still think Ezekiel Elliott not playing, is not likely, at this time, given the same sentiment that Jerry Jones wants to get a deal done. Context: These comments only came to me this am in response to me asking if Eric Dickerson’s statements yesterday r true. https://t.co/LMOkapoBdh
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 6, 2019
These sentiments r typically purported during holdouts. That's the whole pt of being in this posture. I still maintain in all updates through today the tone remains optimistic as it's still being emphasized Zeke is the best at his position in the NFL & shd be compensated as such. https://t.co/Ikpp5oSWP1
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 6, 2019
Elliott needs to report to the Cowboys by Tuesday if he wants to receive credit for a year toward unrestricted free agency, but he still has options if he doesn’t. Because he was a first-round pick, his rookie contract contains a fifth-year option. That option has already been picked up by Dallas. Players need four accrued seasons to earn unrestricted free agent status, and Elliott has played three and has two remaining on his current contract. Even if he skipped 2019, he could report in 2020 and still get his fourth year.
That scenario is highly unlikely to play out. While Jerry Jones made it seem recently like he’s taking a hard stance against his Pro Bowl running back, he has also expressed confidence that he will get the deal done.
