DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - According to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, talks between the Cowboys and star running back Ezekiel Elliott are intensifying, with the two parties aiming to complete a deal this weekend.
Here's the news Dallas has wanted: Talks between the Cowboys and RB Ezekiel Elliott are intensifying, with both sides aiming to wrap up a new deal this weekend, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
August 31, 2019 Those 'intensifying talks' are actually the result of a contract offer Elliott recently received from the Cowboys four days ago, as was first reported by 105.3 The Fan's Mike Fisher and Jonathan Shipman, that would place him closer to 'Todd Gurley money', and make him the second-highest-paid running back in the NFL.
BREAKING: Source: #Cowboys Offer To #EzekielElliott Approaches Gurley Deal - With A Catch https://t.co/W6uW8rSVBE via @fishsports & @Shippyfunsports pic.twitter.com/N7lI8RzfGO
— mike fisher ✭ (@fishsports)
August 27, 2019 Fisher also reported that Elliott's desire was to surpass Gurley’s contractual numbers ($60 million total with $45 million guaranteed), to become the highest-paid running back in NFL History.
While the Cowboys are not likely to approach the guaranteed money that came along with Gurley's deal, a deal they consider to be an outlier and a mistake according to Fisher, they are reportedly not as opposed to extending the running back to an extension that would pay Elliott an average of $15 million APY.
With Elliott's holdout approaching the first week of the regular season, the Cowboys would obviously like to get the deal done sooner rather than later, with the relative unknown of an offense not featuring Elliott serving as a worrisome proposition.
The Cowboys last extended period of games without Elliott came back in 2017 when he missed six games due to a suspension by the league. They were 3-3 in those six games, averaging 18 points per game, including three-straight single-digit scoring outings.
The Cowboys only wins during that stretch were over teams with sub-.500 records, with Dak Prescott averaging 215 yards per game, while throwing for five touchdowns and seven interceptions in that time.
