Let the record show that quarterbacks aren’t the only players eligible to sign mega-deals.
The #Cowboys & RB Ezekiel Elliott agree on a 6-year, $90M extension that makes him the highest-paid RB in the NFL, sources tell me and @SlaterNFL. Roughly half guaranteed. In all, it's $103M over 8 years—the 1st Cowboy to eclipse $100M in total value, the richest RB contract.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 4, 2019
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports the Dallas Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott have come to an agreement on a contract extension worth $90 million over six years. The deal is tacked on to Elliott’s current one and ultimately keeps him in Dallas for the next eight years for $103 million.
(Michael: I draft 4th tonight and I could not be happier about this. Come to papa.)
The Cowboys have never been shy about spending money on Jerry Jones’ watch, but to see Elliott as the first player in franchise history to surpass the $100 million mark in total value comes as a bit of a surprise. Then again, there isn’t a Cowboys player more deserving for what he has done on the field than Elliott.
Elliott missed training camp and the preseason while holding out for a new deal. He even went as far as to show a willingness to miss regular season games to get the deal he desired. Heck, the Cowboys owner was even prepared for Elliott to miss games because of the holdout. But all is well that ends well for the star running back and the team whose offense’s success is predicated on his stardom.
In the two years in which Elliott was fully available, the Cowboys have won NFC East championships. And make no mistake, Elliott was *THE* driving force behind the team’s success. Because in those seasons, Elliott led the league in carries, rushing yards, and yards per game. The one season in which he wasn’t totally available was 2017, a year in which he served a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy stemming from domestic violence accusations that surfaced.
Last year, Elliott led the NFL with 381 total touches, scored nine total touchdowns, and gained 2,0001 scrimmage yards in the process. Elliott has 34 total touchdowns in 40 games and is a load to bring down. Here’s hoping those trends continue against the Packers, Vikings, and Lions this season.