It's difference since there is no commitment, no contract sign. A player isn't held to nothing, now we can say it's poor behavior requesting more than what's cap but it's totally businesses. With Zeke it's businesses but he neglected his contract. With Emmit it was too business but I place him the same as Joey with the rookie contract. He played it in full and didn't hold out. When it was done he simply wanted more than what JJ was offering. Once again business, can't compare ES to that drunk Zeke.
In this type of contractual business relationship the leverage transfers during time.
You and I cannot just tear up a contract, or try to renegotiate its terms. But they live in a different world
As this ticked toward the last days of this contract, considering the way the owners value running backs in general, the more Jerry had the leverage. But the window of maximum leverage for Zeke was at this moment in time. The owner will always have the advantage, like the house in Vegas. But there are certain circumstances which find prevailing winds to renegotiate from a power position. At no other time would things be as they are now.
Cooper needing a new contract and raise
Dak needing a new contract and raise
The team in position with the best roster since 1995
All these things come into play, which have weight in these discussions between Jones and Elliott.
If he played out this season and then asked to renegotiate, Jerry would never do so at that point. The team could already have failed at their bid for the SB, which means paying Zeke more is a fruitless decision.
Or the team could have made the SB, thus blunting the leverage of Zeke.
The Zeke Who crowd bases their opinions on many things. The fact these people make huge money and can rewrite their agreement if they possess enough talent irks some.
Others toss out Emmitt as if he were faultless. Fact is Emmitt has a huge ego, and back in the day it was pretty common knowledge he would refuse to give autographs to kids because, "You'll give it to your Dad and he will sell it." That story was on this site several times by different people back in the day. So his signing something for a kid was giving away a commodity in the mind of Emmitt.
Others lay claim that if they were Zeke they would play for less just to be a Cowboy.
Personally I see this as an issue I cannot control., and will work its way out.
If I were Jones I would want to pay less. If I were Zeke I would want to make more. Neither position is wrong. And because the owners don't take the player into court and sue their arses off indicates this is business as usual.
All the rest of this is hurt feelings for some fans.
Which amounts to swinging at a pitch in the dirt.