Why draft a back 4th overall if you’re not willing to pay him?

[John813]

Since 2016 the price for RB's blew up. Zeke also had a few off the field issues.

I don't think the Cowboys didn't want to re-sign him, they probably just didn't want to re-sign him this offseason.
He's signed through 2021. They got 2-3 other notable guys on the team right now that will be UFAs in 2020.

 

[Stash]

All this handwringing over paying a 24 year old running back is ludicrous considering they spent a top 5 pick on him just a few seasons ago.

They've been paying him, quite well as that "top 5 pick". And last I checked they weren't withholding money, despite his antics. And this owner cost himself quite a lot bu going to war with the league in his defense. But I guess that's doesn't count either?

All he’s done in 3 seasons is justify his draft position, and now we’re not willing to pay a back because of our philosophy? How does that make any sense?

And all the two running backs before him did was run for over 1800 yards and revitalize a failed career and finish 4th in the league in rushing. Success running behind this line isn't a new occurrence.

They look like morons for taking him 4th overall if they’re not willing to pay him.

They'd be bigger morons to cave in to his demands with two years remaining on the deal he agreed to.

 

[Stash]

Why sign a contract if you're not willing to honor it?


And if you're trying to pick a moron out of a lineup, I'd be hard pressed to pick Jerry before I picked Elliot.

 

[morasp]

I just hope he keeps his nose clean in Mexico.

 

[Bob-Lillys-War]

Why, you ask?

Moore, Kellen Moore.

 

[Bullflop]

I think the Cowboys were willing to pay Zeke well, although they were likely prepared to wait 'til next year to do so. As it is now, it'll be tough sledding for them to be as generous as they would have been to the others if they now have to pay Zeke before they were ready to. They'll find a way, though!

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

All this handwringing over paying a 24 year old running back is ludicrous considering they spent a top 5 pick on him just a few seasons ago. All he’s done in 3 seasons is justify his draft position, and now we’re not willing to pay a back because of our philosophy? How does that make any sense?

They look like morons for taking him 4th overall if they’re not willing to pay him.

no one said they don't want to pay him. they have made and offer. Also, Zeke in essence has two years left on his contract. this year and then next year is the option year. so a bit early for him to start holding out.

 

[quickccc]

Cowboys will eventually sign Zeke.. folks just trippin'

 

[big dog cowboy]

Murray is better than Zeke.

Minority opinion!

 

[Bob-Lillys-War]

Rocky , zeke's agent is playing hardball .

jerry will be beat .?

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

Lol I'm archiving this because it needs to get through to some people

 

[MCMetal69]

This is a by-product of having an archaic offensive system in place.........................The Dallas formula is well-known throughout the league , fans included ; it starts with Zeke toting the rock and keeping the defense off the field..................That might not be as necessary now , as the "D" is on the rise , but the FO and coaching staff painted themselves into this corner........................................

 

[Doomsday101]

I really do not think Jerry has an issue with the money as much as the timing and hit on this during his press conference. The organization has a plan in place in dealing with contract and how they would like to space them out to help fit others under the cap. With Dak and Cooper soon to be FA I think they would like to get those deals done before adding another big money contract on the books

 

[Hennessy_King]

I wish some of you would realize the position zeke is in. They want to give him 400+ touches a season. He is entering his 4th season. Which is the last year on his rookie deal. He already lost his guaranteed money from this contract due to getting suspended. 1st round picks do not have a 5 year deal the 5th year is a TEAM option only. The player has no say so, and it is not guaranteed and cannot be negotiated by the player. So as of right now he is on a 1 year deal. If he plays great doesn't get injured, great the team will sign him to the 5th year option. But wait that's another 1 year deal. Let's say he plays great again doesn't get injured, time for zeke to get paid right? Wrong, now the team wants to franchise tag and have him play on another 1 year deal.

The NFL has the worst contract structure for players in any professional sport in the world, when it is also the most violent sport in the world. On top of that everyone knows RB's have the shortest career avg of any other position. If I'm zeke I'm holding out until I get paid. I'm not risking life and limb to play on 3 1 year deals. God forbid he gets a serious injury or something terrible happens like that kid in miami who lost his arm in a car accident he has no guarantees and no financial security at that point.

 

[JoeKing]

All this handwringing over paying a 24 year old running back is ludicrous considering they spent a top 5 pick on him just a few seasons ago. All he’s done in 3 seasons is justify his draft position, and now we’re not willing to pay a back because of our philosophy? How does that make any sense?

They look like morons for taking him 4th overall if they’re not willing to pay him.

What a myopic point of view of this situation. Zeke's performance on the field is not all he's done. Look at what he's done off the field...
1) pulled a woman's top down during a St Patrick's day parade
2) involved in a bar fight
3) 6 game suspension for DV
4) push a security guard down in Las Vegas

All the while Jerry Jones has had Zeke's back. Nothing but a pain in Jerry's back side off the field. It demands Zeke's loyalty and to wait his turn to get paid. Jerry is most certainly willing to pay Zeke when his bill comes due but that's a few years off from now. Jerry has other bill's to pay before then. Zeke, attempting to force Jerry's hand to pay him is an act of betrayal. Making billionaire, Jerry Jones your enemy when you count so much on his dollars is just a flat out miscalculation. Zeke's lifestyle will never be paid "enough" to be sustained. He is immature, irresponsible and compulsive. That's a very self destructive combination. A wise rich man like Jerry can see this and is now being alerted to not feed the pig anymore. Zeke has made himself trade bait rather than the "straw that stirs the drink" in Dallas.

 

[GMO415]

He has two years left! He's making $9 million next year alone. He is well compensated.

 

[ESisback]

He has two years left! He's making $9 million next year alone. He is well compensated.

Exactly! It’s all ego!

 

[DFWJC]

All this handwringing over paying a 24 year old running back is ludicrous considering they spent a top 5 pick on him just a few seasons ago. All he’s done in 3 seasons is justify his draft position, and now we’re not willing to pay a back because of our philosophy? How does that make any sense?

They look like morons for taking him 4th overall if they’re not willing to pay him.

Don't you think you're jumping the gun a bit?
It's called negotiations.
The curve ball is that Zeke is on a 5 year deal and the normal time to sign him would be before his last year, not two years before.

 

[408Cowboy]

All a draft pick buys you is the first rookie contract. Anything you sign after that is a separate and unrelated deal IMO.

Teams can let a guy walk after his first contract and still have it be considered a good draft pick. Look at Khalil Mack for example.

They let him walk after his contract?

 

[Verdict]

All this handwringing over paying a 24 year old running back is ludicrous considering they spent a top 5 pick on him just a few seasons ago. All he’s done in 3 seasons is justify his draft position, and now we’re not willing to pay a back because of our philosophy? How does that make any sense?

They look like morons for taking him 4th overall if they’re not willing to pay him.

I think the “timing” of paying him is a bigger issue for some than just merely resigning him. It’s not a good move for the organization to pay him with two full years left on his contract plus two franchise tags.