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The Dallas Cowboys stated good-bye to former NFL speeding champion Ezekiel Elliott whilst accruing extra cap space by way of changing the contracts of a few veterans.
DALLAS — As the NFL league yr formally started, the inevitable took place: The Dallas Cowboys launched working again Ezekiel Elliott.
The departure used to be described as a parting of the way as the 2 aspects each agreed that it used to be best possible to transfer on, however the Cowboys had been by no means going to carry Elliott again for an 8th season at shut to $17 million.
It’s a bittersweet day for the franchise, who drafted Elliott fourth total within the 2016 draft and used him as their workhorse over the past seven years. It’s additionally most likely a troublesome day for Elliott himself, as he become the Cowboys’ 3rd main rusher all-time right through his tenure.
Although the verdict to draft him so extremely used to be hotly debated, Elliott’s pastime and manufacturing used to be top-of-the-line within the league right through his keep in Dallas.
Jerry Jones made his admiration for Elliott identified in an emotional good-bye observation.
Releasing Elliott frees up cash for the Cowboys to construct round their more and more pricey quarterback Dak Prescott. In addition to Elliott’s go out, Dallas additionally went about restructuring the offers of veterans DeMarcus Lawrence and Tyron Smith on Wednesday.
Lawrence, who signed an extension simply over a yr in the past, had $13.35 million of his $15 million wage in 2023 reworked right into a signing bonus which saves the Cowboys $8.89 million towards the wage cap. Meanwhile, left take on Smith’s deal used to be restructured to give Dallas much more space.
After freeing Elliott, and restructuring the contracts of Lawrence, Smith, Prescott, Zack Martin and Michael Gallup, the Cowboys have labored to get below the $16.1 million buck cap deficit that they’d to succeed in by way of Wednesday’s reliable new league yr. The maneuvering must give the Cowboys an extra $45 million in cap room to paintings with.
Ultimately, for Elliott, the writing used to be at the wall. With the workforce up towards the wage cap, freeing the previous All-Pro RB become a very simple determination. Elliott has been in decline right through the previous couple of seasons and the workforce has a better choice ready within the wings. Tony Pollard is about to take over the working again reins, and he’s change into what Elliott used to be for the offense.
With Elliott’s buffet closed in Dallas, it’s Pollard who shall be counted on to churn out giant performs and act because the playmaker from out of the backfield who can ranking anytime he touches the ball.
Last season, Elliott had his fewest yards speeding since he entered the league (876), in addition to the bottom profession yards in line with elevate of his profession at 3.8 yards. He used to be additionally injured and overlooked two video games in 2022, after grinding thru a 2021 season the place he performed with a PCL tear.
However, Elliott used to be nonetheless ready to ranking 12 touchdowns in 2022, as a competent objective line possibility. Elliott all the time had a nostril for the top zone, scoring double-digit touchdowns in 4 of his seven seasons.
The Cowboys now transfer on with Pollard, who surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the primary time in his profession closing yr, regardless of 38 fewer carries than Elliott as Elliott endured to get the primary snaps each and every week. The fifth-year RB from Memphis has additionally averaged no less than 5.2 yards in line with elevate in 3 of his 4 seasons in Dallas.
When the workforce used its franchise tag on Pollard at $10.1 million, there used to be no means that they might stay each RBs at the roster. Tying up shut to $27 million for a place the place maximum groups are going inexpensive, used to be no longer an possibility. The Cowboys selected the more youthful, sooner, extra explosive participant, even supposing Pollard is coming off a damaged leg suffered in overdue January.
The Cowboys may additionally carry Elliott again later in unfastened company if he doesn’t discover a suitor for his services and products, however the workforce nonetheless has second-year unfastened agent RB Malik Davis to pair with Pollard. Also be expecting the workforce to draft an RB somewhat prime in April to duvet themselves in 2024 and past.
It used to be an ideal run for Elliott, whose first 4 years with the Cowboys had been top-of-the-line for an RB within the league. He led the NFL in speeding two times, used to be a two-time All Pro, three-time Pro Bowl participant, and crowned 1,300 speeding yards 3 times. However, accidents and time stuck up to Elliott, who had an excessive amount of put on and tear on his frame.
It’s a brand new generation within the backfield for the Cowboys, and it received’t come with Ezekiel Elliott.
Do you suppose the Cowboys shall be ready to make excellent use of the contemporary cap bucks? Share your ideas with Ben on Twitter @BenGrimaldi.
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