Clarence Hill: Ezekiel Elliott only focused on Super Bowl, not Dallas Cowboys future

Ezekiel Elliott doesn’t want to think about it.

Dallas Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones refuses to address it.

But the writing is on the wall, if not in the contract.

Barring a miraculous return to glory, Elliott, the two-time rushing champ, is entering his final season with the Cowboys. And that might not even be enough.

This is not about feelings. It’s about finances.

After signing a six-year, $90-million contract extension in September of 2019, Elliott is under contract with the Cowboys through the 2026 season.

But nobody does fiscal responsibility like Jones, especially when you consider Elliott’s decline in production since signing that deal and the changing narrative toward how running backs are valued across the league.

Elliott is under contract in 2023 for a non-guaranteed salary of $10.9 million but he has a cap charge of $16.72 million.

If the Cowboys release Elliott after the season, it would cost them $11.86 million against the cap but they could save $4.86 million.

Of course, if you let Elliott tell it, it’s a made up narrative that has not been discussed or considered by the Cowboys.

“That’s all speculation on the outside,” Elliott said. “Everything internally, everyone is on the same page. That is someone trying to create a narrative.”

Jones offered a similar take: “I don’t know where they get this; could be his last year in spite of his contract. Zeke is a Cowboy. I’m betting on Zeke.”

Elliott is a Cowboy until he is not.

Jones has been known to make some prudent financial decisions on players when the production or the distraction doesn’t justify the finances.

That list goes back to the controversial Terrell Owens in 2009, includes fan favorite Dez Bryant in 2018, and most recently ensnared Amari Cooper, who was traded away last March after incurring the wrath of the Cowboys by refusing to get the COVID-19 shot.

It must be noted that defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence faced a similar circumstance last spring before returning on a structured contract at a reduced salary.

The latter could be on the table for Elliott to.

Let’s not be naive, it is a decision the Cowboys are going to have to make in 2023.

And that’s not even considering the decision on backup running back Tony Pollard, who is heading into the final year of his rookie contract with the promises of an increased role in the offense.

Coach Mike McCarthy says Elliott and Pollard will be a true tandem in 2022, rather than a change of pace alternative as has been the case in prior seasons.

“I look at both of those guys as No. 1 runners, or however you want to categorize it. Tony can play. I think when you look at running backs — I know how I define them — [it’s about] their ability to play on all three downs, and Zeke and Tony both have that ability. Zeke’s done it his whole career. So I think they’re definitely a tandem and that’s obviously a focal point for us.”

Pollard’s elevation was necessary as he is one of the best play makers on the Cowboys offense.

In 2021, Pollard had a career-high 719 rushing yards on 130 carries and 337 receiving yards on 39 receptions. He scored two touchdowns. Elliott had 1,002 rushing yards on 237 carries and 287 yards on 47 carries. He scored 12 touchdowns.

He averaged 5.5 yards per carry in 2021 compared to 4.2 for Elliott, who labored through a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee for the final 11 games of the season.

Elliott has no problem with sharing the load with Pollard.

“We’ve been two guys who feed off each other,” Elliott said. “ We’re each other’s biggest hype man. We’re going to make sure that we’re going to make each other better every day. I think it’s great that this year we have opened up the offense and have more packages with me and Tony on the field. I think that will be good for us.

“Tony is a hell of a back. He deserves the reps and it’s better all around for the team.”

It’s best for the Cowboys in 2022 because it should allow Elliott and Pollard to be fresher for the bulk of the season and presumably still be at their best when the playoffs come around.

It also speaks to Elliott’s unselfish and team-oriented attitude that has endeared him throughout the Cowboys locker room and garnered the respect of the coaching staff.

But is it best for Elliott and his future with the Cowboys?

Elliott said there is no reason to look down the road. He is only focused on 2022 and doing whatever he can to help the Cowboys make the playoffs and put themselves in position for a chance at the Super Bowl.

“I think it is a big season, but I think you can’t look too far down the road,” Elliott said. ’I’m ready to make a run in the playoffs, I’m ready to go deep and get a shot at that Super Bowl. Focus on getting better every week, taking the right steps to get to that point.

“I think everything will handle itself. I think if I handle my business every day, then I’ll be in a pretty good situation at the end of the season.”