The Dallas Cowboys experienced playoff heartbreak again with a 19-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. As with every team, the Cowboys now have to answer all of their offseason questions. The Dallas backfield has many questions with decisions needing to be made on both Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott was asked if he thought he would be in Dallas next season and he made his answer very clear.
https://twitter.com/clarencehilljr/status/1617401244439703558
Ezekiel Elliott On Where He Wants To Play
Elliott did not mince words when the question was asked. “I want to be here. I don’t have a crystal ball and can’t tell the future. But I definitely want to be here,” Elliott said, via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He was drafted by the Cowboys and signed a huge 6-year $90 million extension. His production has steadily dipped with this season being the worst. He only averaged 3.8 yards per carry this season. The extension is why he could have played his last down in Dallas.
Cowboys Can Save Cap
There are roughly 4 years and $50 million left on Elliott’s contract. If they cut him, he still is an $11.86 million dead cap hit but that is significantly less than the $16 million they would have to pay for keeping him. It would also save them cap space down the line that they could use to sign free agents or use on other more important players like Micah Parsons. Ezekiel Elliott is slowly turning into a real contract problem and this is the opportunity for the Cowboys to get out of it.
Related: Jerry Jones Speaks On The Job Status of Mike McCarthy
I would be very surprised if Ezekiel Elliott was on the Cowboys next season. Even though he has said publicly he wants to be there, it would have to be under a renegotiated contract. The Cowboys’ backfield situation is one to watch this offseason.