The Cowboys have their running back and Ezekiel Elliott has his bag. Early on Tuesday morning, the two parties reportedly reached agreement on a six-year, $90 million contract extension that will make Elliott the highest paid back in league history.
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Elliott’s contract eclipses the previous highwater mark of $60 million over four years signed by Todd Gurley last season. After some back-and-forth in media between Elliott and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in August, the two sides gained momentum towards a deal in recent days.
Elliott will reportedly make his return to practice immediately, as well. Fantasy owners need not worry!
Here’s how the football world reacted to Elliott’s new deal.
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— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 4, 2019
https://t.co/lc0vyiHIPq pic.twitter.com/BnQknKkH3C
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) September 4, 2019
Zeke's $50M guaranteed is the most given to a running back in NFL history. (via @WerderEdESPN) pic.twitter.com/3oD46KXPzm
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 4, 2019
Big congrats to ZEKE. Feed the man!
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) September 4, 2019
I'm told it 'got ugly' for a little while last night, per a source close to Zeke Elliott.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) September 4, 2019
And a FO source texted me last night that talks were not promising. He even said "ask them", when I asked why.
But they were able to re-convene, and finally make it happen early this AM.
Meanwhile, in fantasy news... 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/HwfDROQ7uu
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 4, 2019
Zeke showing up back at practice today 😂
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 4, 2019
(via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/lhSoG108TH
With Zeke deal, I see it as basically Jerry and Stephen Jones have done their part to put together what they believe is franchise’s best team in three decades. Now it’s up to Jason Garrett and the players to take next step.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) September 4, 2019
I said it in July, and I feel this way now: it's a big number to pay a RB, but I have no problem with the Cowboys paying it to Ezekiel Elliott.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) September 4, 2019
They've got one of the 5-10 best skill players in the league locked up, basically for the rest of his career.
Key points from @VoiceOfTheStar on Zeke:
— Chris Hassel (@Hassel_Chris) September 4, 2019
- Most guaranteed money for RB
- With Cowboys for next 8 seasons
- Team expects him to practice today
- Will play Sun but workload unknown
- Still $$$ left over for Dak and Amari
FWIW: I guess the Cowboys set the RB market after all. Zeke’s leverage was his talent. #truth
— Jean-Jacques Taylor (@JJT_Journalist) September 4, 2019
If i was Jerry Jones i would have paid zeke's taxi to the airport to get back to cabo and THATS IT
— Trill Withers (@TylerIAm) September 4, 2019
I agree and I’m a never pay a RB guy....but it always made sense to pay Zeke here.
— Kevin Turner (@ktfuntweets) September 4, 2019
Zeke is different than Melvin, DJ, McKinnon, Freeman, Gurley (college injury), etc... https://t.co/teZKLqUkPd
Zeke highlights rolling outside The Star this morning. pic.twitter.com/yu9tJL1YYG
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) September 4, 2019
If Cowboys were willing to sign Ezekiel Elliott to a contract like this, there was absolutely no reason for a holdout... makes me think the front office wasn’t willing to, tried to keep Jerry out of their way, but at the last minute Jerry swooped in and gave Zeke a blank check
— Ryan McCrystal (@Ryan_McCrystal) September 4, 2019
Every #Cowboys fan this morning after Zeke got his $90M extension pic.twitter.com/nNWa8TGxTm
— Demetria Obilor (@DemetriaObilor) September 4, 2019
What’s the GIF for Dak Prescott right now?
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) September 4, 2019
Demarcus Lawrence $$$
Jaylen Smith $$$
La’el Collins $$$
Zeke $$$$$$$$
Dak: pic.twitter.com/l7kCIuv3Ph
This is basically how I envision Zeke’s next press conference going. pic.twitter.com/RkAxrDowk6
— #DutchDestroyer (@_Philly_Talk) September 4, 2019
The best part about the Cowboys giving Zeke the contract is that Jerry Jones was regurgitating stuff nerds had been saying about RBs -- which I'm assuming means he's familiar with the research -- but then was like "nah, screw it, give him all the money."
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) September 4, 2019
I don’t have anything to say on the Zeke contract that you haven’t read elsewhere. Based on everything we know about running back value, it’s a massive mistake.
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@FO_ASchatz) September 4, 2019
For the record: I don't blame Zeke for wanting his money sewed up now. You can argue that he's the best running back in the NFL and the shelf life for an every-down RB is extremely low these days. Some wear-and-tear finishing out his existing contract could have cost him millions
— Patrick Scott Patterson (@OriginalPSP) September 4, 2019
All tha fantasy owners who picked Zeke rn. #FeedZeke #WeDemBoyz pic.twitter.com/dxJ7NjzfPq
— MurseEric (@eicontreras1) September 4, 2019
This summarizes my feelings about the Cowboys’ zeke-uation pic.twitter.com/GIrWVZEPAa
— Can’t Talk, Currently Cancelled (@Smills_) September 4, 2019
Zeke: I’ve been training in Cabo
— T'D UP (@TUSportsPod) September 4, 2019
Also Zeke: pic.twitter.com/WulZBmK5f8
Dak Prescott watching Zeke & Jaylon Smith count their money pic.twitter.com/QyIB6osJ0s
— Justin Tucker = GOAT (@baseballdingerr) September 4, 2019
That feeling when Zeke slips to 9th in your fantasy draft because of the holdout, you pick him, then two days later, he's signed and ready to go for the opener: pic.twitter.com/u21KVmT1RT
— Ron Terrell (@RonTerrell) September 4, 2019
Since entering the NFL in 2016, Zeke leads the NFL in:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 4, 2019
* Rushing yards: 4,048
* Carries: 868
* 100-yard rushing games: 19
* 20+ carry games: 28
* Total touches: 1,003
* Runs of 20+ yards: 30
Productive. A workhorse. Just 24 years old.
Finally, the wait is over! Zeke and the Cowboys agree on a 6-year, $90 million extension! #FeedZeke pic.twitter.com/4uYWBWu6AH
— COWBOYS ✭ (@AmericasTeam_21) September 4, 2019
People everywhere waking up and being upset for passing on Zeke in their fantasy football draft... #FeedZeke pic.twitter.com/OgKyNIEUE7
— Schneider Driver Recruiter - Conner Bane (@ConnerBaneSNI) September 4, 2019