Whatever the deal turns out to be between the Dallas Cowboys and running back Ezekiel Elliott, it won’t reset the market. Such is the vow of team executive vice president Stephen Jones, who told reporters Wednesday that even though Elliott, wide receiver Amari Cooper and quarterback Dak Prescott all have offers on the table, none will make them the highest paid players at their positions.
“We can’t push the issue unless we want to be a market-setter,” Jones told KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM. “And we’re damn sure not going to be a market-setter because of all the things that go with being a Dallas Cowboy. We want our players to feel good about their contracts. But at the same time, we don’t want to do things that are out of line because we can’t afford to be that way. When we save money, whether it’s with Dak, whether it’s with Zeke, whether it’s with Amari, it’s not saving Jerry and I a dollar. It’s just money that’s going to another player.”
.@dallascowboys CEO & EVP Stephen Jones talked about the challenges that come with taking care of three of the team's biggest stars financially…
"That's my goal, that at the end of the day we figure out a contract for Dak, for Amari, for Zeke.." #CowboysCamp
⬇️AUDIO⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XSqQ8ZFc0g
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) July 29, 2019
It’s a pledge he can likely keep with Prescott and Cooper. Elliott, on the other hand, might not be so easily swayed.
Elliott led the league in rushing in two of his first three seasons and the only reason it wasn’t three-for-three was because he was suspended for six games in 2017. The star running back is currently relaxing on a beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and won’t show up to training camp without a new deal.
Prescott is due a huge contract and will get one, but he won’t be the highest paid quarterback in the league. He’ll likely slide in somewhere around Carson Wentz’s $32 million a season. Cooper can’t be seriously looking at making more than $16 million himself, which will put him in Adam Thielan and Brandin Cooks territory.
But Zeke, if he needs $14 million to get into camp, the Cowboys should pony it up. He’s certainly more important to their offense than Cooper even if the market value of his position isn’t.
