Should the Dallas Cowboys reward running back Ezekiel Elliott with a new contract this offseason? LaDainian Tomlinson seems to think so.
“Here’s the thing: Zeke has earned a new contract,” said Tomlinson, a former San Diego Chargers and New York Jets running back who is now an analyst on NFL Network (per Drew Davison of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram). “People talk about projections and how many more years can he [be productive]. It’s not about that. It’s about what the guy has earned. Zeke has led that team to two division titles in the last three years. He’s led the National Football League in rushing two years already in his short career.”
Elliott racked up 1,434 rushing yards to lead the NFL this past season, scoring six touchdowns and averaging 4.7 yards per carry. After yet another fantastic season, the 23-year-old reportedly wants a contract extension.
“To be quite honest with you, he’s done it the right way,” added Tomlinson. “He hasn’t been in trouble other than that one time. So I think he deserves a new contract and he deserves to be paid as one of the top players in the National Football League.”
The Cowboys running back entered the NFL in 2016 and immediately proceeded to pace the league in rushing during his rookie campaign, finishing with 1,631 yards. The following year, Elliott missed six games due to a suspension and totaled 983 yards.
Tomlinson thinks Elliott is especially valuable late in the year when temperatures begin to drop:
“You have to be able to run the football late in the season,” Tomlinson said. “When November and ‘Old Man Winter’ come around, December, January, it starts to get cold, you better be able to run the football. All of these teams, even my Chargers with Melvin Gordon, we can run the football.”
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