Eagles

Cowboys Reportedly Give Zeke Elliott Six-Year, $90 Million Extension

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Sep 4th, 2019 · 8:45 AM EDT

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Holy cow.

The Cowboys did it. They really did it. They gave Ezekiel Elliott a boatload of cash.

ESPN is reporting that it’s a six-year, $90 million extension with $50 million guaranteed. That makes him the highest paid running back in the NFL.

I honestly thought Jerry Jones would put up a little bit of resistance, but he didn’t. He folded like a wet paper bag. Zeke successfully skipped out on all of training camp and preseason, then got his huge deal anyway.

If you’re keeping track, Elliott has played just three seasons but accumulated almost 1,000 touches already:

That’s a lot of work, and when you consider the fact that most running backs these days aren’t giving you more than 3-5 prime years anyway, there’s certainly risk in throwing a ton of guaranteed money into the position. The Eagles, for comparison, are spending about $5 million dollars total on Darren Sproles (veteran’s minimum), Jordan Howard, Miles Sanders, and Corey Clement (all on rookie deals). None of those guys are Zeke Elliott, but the Birds have good cost control at the running back position, which allows for salary cap flexibility elsewhere. The Cowboys, as you well know, still have to take care of Dak Prescott after extending Jaylon Smith, La’el Collins, and now Zeke. Amari Cooper is also a pending free agent.

Here’s some reaction:

Came home from China to all these cameras at the airport. I thought to myself: “ Man. I still got it!!” Turns out they were all there for zeke….

— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) September 3, 2019

Ezekiel Elliott was chilling in Cabo for months, skipped out on work, drank margaritas and ate tacos every damn day.

AND HE GOT A RAISE FOR IT!

Dude is my hero.

— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) September 4, 2019

Ahead of Ezekiel Elliott’s first team practice since June, I’m told the plan right now is about 20-25 reps on Sunday, rookie Tony Pollard behind him and FB Jamize Olawale as your best blitz pickup guy on 3rd downs. Things can always change but this is the plan heading into today.

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) September 4, 2019

https://twitter.com/KingJosiah54/status/1168921179354275853?s=20