The Dallas Cowboys are coming to an impasse. Several of the team's young stars desire new, more lucrative, contracts, chief among them being third-year running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Yet, the Cowboys also have deals to complete with Amari Cooper and Dak Prescott that are more urgent than Elliott’s. Cooper and Prescott are entering the final season of their contracts, while the Cowboys have picked up the fifth-year option on Elliott’s deal for 2020.
Despite the minor dispute, Elliott has shown up for work in the voluntary offseason program anyway.
“I’m not concerned,” Elliott said Wednesday night, via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News.
Elliott insists he can block out outside noise about his contract.
Elliott, 23, has two rushing titles in three seasons. He has led the league in average yards per game for every season of his career.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said last week he understands Elliott’s desire for a contract extension.
“I understand completely. Oh gosh, do I?” Jones said. “I just think you’ve got to work through these things. I can’t imagine Zeke doesn’t know what we think about him. We’ve always stuck with him to this day, back him and believe that we’ve had a situation that wasn’t exactly fair to Zeke. But at the same time, we’re sensitive to those things.”
Rams running back Todd Gurley, who's contract has become the gold standard for today's elite runners, was signed to a new contract after his third season. As much as Elliott may want it, he likely won't be afforded the same luxury.