Ezekiel Elliott’s comments on contract play right into Cowboys hands

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott says he is not focused on his contract situation after the upcoming season.

The Dallas Cowboys had to make some moves to free up cap space entering the 2022 league year. That meant the team had to move on from the likes of wide receiver Amari Cooper and offensive tackle La’el Collins. One player they could not move on from in 2022 was running back Ezekiel Elliott, due to his contract being terminated or traded would cost the Cowboys money. But, there is an exit for Dallas from Elliott’s contract after this season.

In regards to his future, Elliott said he is not focused on his contract situation. That could work into the Cowboys’ hands.

“I think it is a big season, but I think you can’t look too far down the road,” Elliott said, h/t Todd Archer of ESPN. “I think if I focus on every day, if I focus on having a good day of camp, if I focus on taking it week by week, I think everything will handle itself. And I don’t think there’s really a reason to look that far down the road. I think if I handle my business every day, then I’ll be in a pretty good situation at the end of the season.”

Ezekiel Elliott not focused on future with Cowboys

With there being no pressure placed on the team, that puts them in favorable position. Let’s not forget that the team has Tony Pollard on the roster, and he proved last year he was a very effective option out of the backfield.

Pollard played in 15 games for the Cowboys, where he averaged 5.5 yards per carry (719 yards on 130 attempts). He also caught 39-of-46 passes for 337 yards.

Meanwhile, Elliott played through a partially torn PCL throughout the 2021 campaign. He accumulated 1,002 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 237 attempts (4.2 yards per carry) in 17 games. Perhaps the most concerning thing about his performance last season was that he averaged just 58.9 rushing yards per season.

Elliott is entering the second year of his six-year, $90 million contract extension. After the 2022 campaign, Elliott has not more guaranteed money remaining on the deal. There is the possibility that Elliott returns to his old form and becomes huge threat in Dallas’ offense again. But, the Cowboys will need to make a choice, as Pollard is due for a new contract after this upcoming season.

Will they keep Elliott and Pollard together? Will Elliott be shown the door? Will Pollard leave Dallas by way of signing a big contract with a new team in free agency?

Regardless of what the future holds for Elliott, he is not worried about it right now. We will see if the knee injury played a huge role in Elliott’s drop in production this season, as the Cowboys once again try to make a return to the Super Bowl for the first time in over two decades. After that, another important offseason looms for the Cowboys.