Why Did Cowboys Release Ezekiel Elliott? Where is Ezekiel Elliott Going?
by Rajalaxmi | Updated Mar 16, 2023
Why Did Cowboys Release Ezekiel Elliott?
The Dallas Cowboys have made the decision to part ways with their star running back, Ezekiel Elliott, by designating him as a post-June 1 cut. It has long been speculated that Elliott's $90 million contract would lead to either a pay reduction or a release, and now the answer is clear.
By spreading out Elliott's $16.7 million salary cap hit over the next two years, the Cowboys will lessen the financial impact. However, they will still carry around $6 million in dead money each year. The move will provide $10.9 million in cap relief in 2023, but the savings won't be available until the move is processed in June.
The Cowboys are expected to use the money saved to sign their 2023 draft class and have the flexibility for future contracts. With Elliott's departure, the running back position is now up for grabs. Tony Pollard, who was placed under the franchise tag, has a one-year contract worth $10.09 million, leaving some uncertainty beyond the upcoming season. Malik Davis, who has just 38 career carries, is the only other running back on the roster.
Did Ezekiel Elliott Get Released?
On Wednesday, the Dallas Cowboys announced that they were releasing running back Ezekiel Elliott, making him a free agent. The move came as no surprise, as Elliott's $16.7 million salary was set to count against the team's salary cap, and the Cowboys were looking to free up some space.
Sources close to the team told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Elliott will be designated a post-June 1 cut, meaning that the Cowboys will save almost $11 million against the 2023 cap, but he will still count for a little over $6 million against the 2024 cap. The team will not receive the cap credit until June 1.
At the recent NFL scouting combines, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones had expressed a willingness to keep both Elliott and Tony Pollard, who was given the $10.091 million franchise tag. However, it was always unlikely that both running backs would remain on the team. Elliott would have had to accept a significant pay cut to stay, and it's not clear whether the Cowboys even made such an offer. In the past, the team did not offer pay cuts to high-profile players like DeMarcus Ware and Dez Bryant.
Despite the release, Jones had nothing but praise for Elliott, calling him a consummate professional and leader who had set the tone in the Cowboys' locker room, on the practice field, and in the huddle. Jones also noted that Elliott's impact and influence were seared into the franchise in a special and indelible way.
Elliott, who is 27 years old, had been with the Cowboys since they drafted him fourth overall in 2016. He had rushed for over 1,000 yards in three of his first four seasons with the team, but his production had declined in recent years. In 2022, he had only 749 rushing yards and six touchdowns in 15 games.
Where is Ezekiel Elliott Going?
The Dallas Cowboys have decided to release Ezekiel Elliott, their star running back, from his massive six-year, $90 million extension that he signed in 2019. This move signifies the end of the Ezekiel Elliott era in Dallas, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering what's next for the team.
Unfortunately for Elliott, his performance last season was less than impressive, ranking last in the league in several categories including yards per carry (3.8), tackles avoided (32), and percentage of runs that went for 10-plus yards (7.4%). With the team's recent struggles and the disappointing performance of their star running back, the decision to release Elliott may not come as a complete surprise to some.
However, the financial implications of this move are significant. The Cowboys will see $10.9 million in cap relief as a result of the release, but will also have to deal with $5.82 million in dead money on this year's cap. Despite being owed $64.76 million for the remainder of his contract, there was no guaranteed salary remaining on his deal, making the release a financially viable option for the team.
As a post-June 1 cut, the move will allow the Cowboys to spread out the cap hit over two years, providing some relief for the team as they look to rebuild and make necessary changes. While the departure of Elliott may be a difficult pill to swallow for some Cowboys fans, it's clear that the team is looking to make some tough decisions in order to move forward and find success in the coming years.
Ezekiel Elliott's Contract Details
In 2019, Ezekiel Elliott, the star running back for the Dallas Cowboys, signed a lucrative contract extension with the team. The deal was for six years and a staggering $90 million, with a signing bonus of $7.5 million and $50,052,137 guaranteed. This made Elliott one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL, with an average annual salary of $15 million.
The negotiations leading up to the contract extension were highly publicized, with Elliott holding out for a better deal. He had two years remaining on his rookie contract, which paid him significantly less than what he believed he was worth. The Cowboys ultimately gave in to Elliott's demands and signed him to the massive extension.
Elliott had already established himself as one of the league's premier running backs in his first three seasons with the Cowboys. He led the league in rushing yards in 2016 and 2018 and was named to the Pro Bowl in each of those seasons. He was also a first-team All-Pro selection in 2016.
With his new contract, Elliott has solidified his position as a cornerstone of the Cowboys' offense. He is expected to continue to be one of the top running backs in the league for years to come, and his presence on the field gives the Cowboys a legitimate chance to compete for a championship.
Of course, with such a large contract comes high expectations. The pressure is on Elliott to continue to perform at an elite level and help lead the Cowboys to success. Anything less than that will be seen as a disappointment, both for the team and for Elliott personally.
Where is Ezekiel Elliott from?
Ezekiel Elliott is a highly acclaimed American football running back who currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He was born on July 22, 1995, in Alton, Illinois, and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri.
Elliott played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2013 to 2015. During his college career, he was widely regarded as one of the best running backs in the country. He was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2013 and was a consensus All-American in both 2014 and 2015. In his final season at Ohio State, Elliott helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship.
In 2016, Elliott was drafted fourth overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the league's premier running backs. In his rookie season, he led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,631 and was named First-Team All-Pro. He also helped lead the Cowboys to a 13-3 record and a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Elliott has continued to excel in the NFL, earning Pro Bowl honors in each of his first three seasons. He has also been named a First-Team All-Pro twice. In addition to his impressive rushing statistics, Elliott has also shown himself to be an excellent receiver out of the backfield. He has recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in his career and has been a valuable asset to the Cowboys' passing game.
Off the field, Elliott has had his share of controversy. In 2017, he was suspended for six games by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy. The suspension came after allegations of domestic violence were made against him. Elliott has denied the allegations and has never been charged with a crime.
Despite the off-field issues, there is no denying that Elliott is one of the best running backs in the NFL today. His combination of speed, power, and agility makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses. His ability to break tackles and make defenders miss is unmatched, and his work ethic and dedication to his craft are admirable.
Why did cowboys release Ezekiel Elliott - FAQs
Ezekiel Elliott is 6 feet tall and weighs around 225 pounds.
Ezekiel Elliott attended Ohio State University, where he played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Ezekiel Elliott currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL).
Yes, Ezekiel Elliott has won several awards in the NFL. He has been named to the Pro Bowl three times and has been a First-Team All-Pro selection twice.
Ezekiel Elliott's rookie season was very successful. He led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,631 and was named First-Team All-Pro. He also helped lead the Cowboys to a 13-3 record and a first-round bye in the playoffs.