The Dallas Cowboys have many difficult personnel decisions ahead of them, but the main priority is undoubtedly figuring out the running back situation.
Tony Pollard, the team’s leading rusher of 2022, is slated to enter free agency next month. Veteran Ezekiel Elliott is still productive but no longer the All-Pro force earlier in his career, but he still tallied a respectable 876 rushing yards in 15 games last season.
If Dallas cuts the two-time rushing champion before June 1, they’ll save $4.86 million against the salary cap for 2023. But according to a report, the Cowboys are hoping to bring back ‘Zeke’ on a discounted rate.
NFL reporter Matt Lombardo of Heavy Sports reports that the Cowboys will ask the veteran running back to take a “massive” pay cut, but it’s not a guarantee that he’d agree to it:
“The Dallas Cowboys could be on the verge of giving Ezekiel Elliott an ultimatum, as the franchise and running back appear locked in a stare-down as the offseason begins. According to multiple league sources familiar with the running back market, I’m told the Cowboys are poised to ask Elliott to take a ‘massive pay cut’ in order to stay with the team.”
Keeping Pollard is surely a priority for the Cowboys, but the two-back system has been largely effective for Mike McCarthy and company over the last two years. Elliott remains one of the NFL’s premier pass blockers at his position and has 22 rushing touchdowns over the last two seasons, proving that he’s still reliable in red zone situations.
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But is the 27-year-old Elliott willing to take a pay cut in order to continue his storied career in Dallas? Stay tuned.
