Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott is willing to take a pay cut to bring back fellow RB Tony Pollard
With Tony Pollard entering free agency this offseason, Ezekiel Elliott is reportedly willing to sacrifice his pay to keep the running back tandem together, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Elliott signed a deal in 2019 worth $90 million over the course of six years. He has an average annual salary of $15 million per year. But, with Pollard entering free agency, the boys in blue don’t know what to do. Evidently, Elliott is willing to take a pay cut to help the Cowboys retain Pollard for the future, instead of using the franchise tag on him.
Following Sunday’s loss against the 49ers, Elliott made comments on his long-term availability with the Cowboys.
“I’ve definitely thought about it,” Elliott said, via The Dallas Morning News. “I want to be here. I don’t have a crystal ball; I can’t tell you the future. But I definitely want to be here.”
Elliott had his statistically worst year of his career in 2022. He didn’t eclipse 1,000 rushing yards, averaged 3.8 yards per touch, and posted a career low in carries. Comparing him to Pollard, his running back partner had 1,378 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns, an incredible year for the running back out of Memphis.
During the game, Pollard broke his left leg and suffered a high ankle sprain during the second quarter. Pollard did not appear in the rest of the game and was sent to the medical tent for further inspection at the time. Elliott finished out the game as both the primary back and goal line back for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys are in quite the cap scenario right now. Pollard’s desire for a new contract and possibly testing free agency could make things ugly soon, and contract readjustments are a must for the team. The Cowboys have around $2 million in cap space for the offseason and hold the 27th overall pick in the upcoming draft.
In my opinion, the Cowboys should be looking to further their chances at a Super Bowl by trading Dak Prescott and Elliott. Pollard is their running back of the future on a cheaper deal than Elliott, and Prescott can’t lead even lead this team to an NFC Championship. If I were Jerry Jones, I would hunt down any desperate team to trade for Elliott and Prescott.
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