Defining the Zeke Window

[Bobhaze]

Ezekiel Elliott is not only the best player on this Cowboys team, in 3 seasons he is already reaching some historic heights as an NFL RB.

For example- Zeke currently is 2nd ALL TIME in yards rushing per game at 102, just two yards per game behind the GREAT Jim Brown, and two yards ahead of the great Barry Sanders. He has two NFL rushing titles in three seasons and probably would have had 3 in row if not for his suspension.

He is clearly an elite player with the potential for historic achievements. The question remains- how big is his “window” of achievement? Is it 3 years or could it extend to even 6-7 more?

This is obviously an important question in today’s salary cap era and the FO will have numerous decisions to make on many young talented players in the next two years. Zeke was drafted at 20, and after 3 seasons will still only be 24 this September. He has two more years left on his rookie deal which theoretically means he’ll be 26 when looking for his next deal.

The key decision the Cowboys must make is should they pony up and pay Zeke market value as established recently in the Todd Gurley deal? If the answer is yes, the window of Zeke’s time here should last until he’s nearly 30, at which time most RBs are done. Or should they see his window as 2-3 more years, the third year being a franchise tag being placed on him at the conclusion of his rookie deal in 2020? Would Zeke accept that or decide to be La’Veon Bell?

What say you Cowboys fans? Define the Zeke window. How long does he have as a top shelf star? RBs historically tail off at 28. And would you sign him after his rookie deal?

If I were the Cowboys, I might try to sign Zeke to a 4 year deal after this year, a year before his rookie deal is up, thus having him signed until he’s 29 at possibly a slightly smaller price tag. I wouldn’t sign him to a deal that pays him into 30 and beyond.

Your thoughts on defining the “Zeke Window”?

 

[TwoDeep3]

Were you saying this when Emmitt was holding out after his first contract?

No one knows what his window is. Emmitt stayed for a very long time. Long enough to be the all-time rushing leader. As small as he was did anyone really think he'd be around this long? AD is still playing., Granted most running backs are done pretty quickly. But this rush to end a guy's career at this position, and especially one with such greatness as Zeke is absurd to me.

 

[LatinMind]

Ezekiel Elliott is not only the best player on this Cowboys team, in 3 seasons he is already reaching some historic heights as an NFL RB.

For example- Zeke currently is 2nd ALL TIME in yards rushing per game at 102, just two yards per game behind the GREAT Jim Brown, and two yards ahead of the great Barry Sanders. He has two NFL rushing titles in three seasons and probably would have had 3 in row if not for his suspension.

He is clearly an elite player with the potential for historic achievements. The question remains- how big is his “window” of achievement? Is it 3 years or could it extend to even 6-7 more?

This is obviously an important question in today’s salary cap era and the FO will have numerous decisions to make on many young talented players in the next two years. Zeke was drafted at 20, and after 3 seasons will still only be 24 this September. He has two more years left on his rookie deal which theoretically means he’ll be 26 when looking for his next deal.

The key decision the Cowboys must make is should they pony up and pay Zeke market value as established recently in the Todd Gurley deal? If the answer is yes, the window of Zeke’s time here should last until he’s nearly 30, at which time most RBs are done. Or should they see his window as 2-3 more years, the third year being a franchise tag being placed on him at the conclusion of his rookie deal in 2020? Would Zeke accept that or decide to be La’Veon Bell?

What say you Cowboys fans? Define the Zeke window. How long does he have as a top shelf star? RBs historically tail off at 28. And would you sign him after his rookie deal?

If I were the Cowboys, I might try to sign Zeke to a 4 year deal after this year, a year before his rookie deal is up, thus having him signed until he’s 29 at possibly a slightly smaller price tag. I wouldn’t sign him to a deal that pays him into 30 and beyond.

Your thoughts on defining the “Zeke Window”?

In all honesty if i was Jerry i would set out feelers and see what his value would be. Love Elliot and what he does, but if Dallas could recoup picks and add 2RBs for even less then the price elliot, it would be a win situation.

Rams are going to be in real trouble in 2020 with contract like Gurleys. Then having to try and sign Goff, Kupp? They are going to be chopped up.

 

[Jake]

Your thoughts on defining the “Zeke Window”?

As much as I love Zeke - we don't get many fellow Ohio State alums on my favorite NFL team - I'm not sure I'd give him any more than the Steelers gave Bell in terms of contracts. Zeke's style doesn't project well long-term in my opinion. I wouldn't consider anything beyond the 5th year option until we get to that point.

As for the Cowboys "window" with Zeke it hasn't opened yet. Need more than a wild card round playoff win before seriously talking about such things.

 

[Sydla]

Were you saying this when Emmitt was holding out after his first contract?

No one knows what his window is. Emmitt stayed for a very long time. Long enough to be the all-time rushing leader. As small as he was did anyone really think he'd be around this long? AD is still playing., Granted most running backs are done pretty quickly. But this rush to end a guy's career at this position, and especially one with such greatness as Zeke is absurd to me.

Different league and time.

Its clear now, in today's passing league, you can win a SB without significant assets tied up in a TB. The Cowboys seemed to believe this too when they passed on giving Murray a big contract claiming their research showed it just wasn't the right move tying up that many resources in a TB. Then 12 months later, they did a 180.

Let him play out his contract, tag him twice, send him packing at age 28.

 

[Bobhaze]

As much as I love Zeke - we don't get many fellow Ohio State alums on my favorite NFL team - I'm not sure I'd give him any more than the Steelers gave Bell in terms of contracts. Zeke's style doesn't project well long-term in my opinion. I wouldn't consider anything beyond the 5th year option until we get to that point.

As for the Cowboys "window" with Zeke it hasn't opened yet. Need more than a wild card round playoff win before seriously talking about such things.

I see a “window” as opportunity for success. The Romo window was about 2006-2014.

 

[glimmerman]

He probly has 4 more years of major productivity barring injury.

 

[Risen Star]

Emmitt had 4 rushing titles in his career. Zeke has 3 in 3 years with a male commissioner.

He'll play 15 years in the league. 14 rushing titles.

 

[Fletch]

Were you saying this when Emmitt was holding out after his first contract?

No one knows what his window is. Emmitt stayed for a very long time. Long enough to be the all-time rushing leader. As small as he was did anyone really think he'd be around this long? AD is still playing., Granted most running backs are done pretty quickly. But this rush to end a guy's career at this position, and especially one with such greatness as Zeke is absurd to me.

Well said. Gut feelings need to simply go away!

 

[nightrain]

offer 3 years (2020-2022) $30M guaranteed.

 

[Tussinman]

He really only has 1 more year on his rookie deal. He isn't going to win the NFL rushing crown 2x (with a possible 3rd this year) and then play on a 5th year option. Guys like Zack Martin and Aaron Donald refused to play on the 5th year option and I 100% agree with it

I would do 4 year deal with 3 being guaranteed if they don't do an extension.

4 out of 5 of the o-line is signed long term and they can help zeke out even if he slows down later into the contract.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Different league and time.

Its clear now, in today's passing league, you can win a SB without significant assets tied up in a TB. The Cowboys seemed to believe this too when they passed on giving Murray a big contract claiming their research showed it just wasn't the right move tying up that many resources in a TB. Then 12 months later, they did a 180.

Let him play out his contract, tag him twice, send him packing at age 28.

The second you claim hard and fast rules, you will be shown they were neither. This is an action reaction league.

The Ram,s have figured out how to force the defense to commit before they set the play, before the headset turns off between coach and QB.

Others will copy this, and then someone will devise a way to beat it.

I would be hesitant in laying claim that what we see now will always be.

 

[Sydla]

The second you claim hard and fast rules, you will be shown they were neither. This is an action reaction league.

The Ram,s have figured out how to force the defense to commit before they set the play, before the headset turns off between coach and QB.

Others will copy this, and then someone will devise a way to beat it.

I would be hesitant in laying claim that what we see now will always be.

The Rams also showed you that they could win in the playoffs running a TB off the street in place of their first round, highly paid TB.

 

[mattjames2010]

Emmitt had 4 rushing titles in his career. Zeke has 3 in 3 years with a male commissioner.

He'll play 15 years in the league. 14 rushing titles.

Is Will your alt. account?

 

[Bobhaze]

Were you saying this when Emmitt was holding out after his first contract?

No one knows what his window is. Emmitt stayed for a very long time. Long enough to be the all-time rushing leader. As small as he was did anyone really think he'd be around this long? AD is still playing., Granted most running backs are done pretty quickly. But this rush to end a guy's career at this position, and especially one with such greatness as Zeke is absurd to me.

Of course no one knows what his window is. I was asking for opinions on what fans think it is. Who’s in a “rush to end a guy’s career at this position”...to quote you?

 

[Bobhaze]

He really only has 1 more year on his rookie deal. He isn't going to win the NFL rushing crown 2x (with a possible 3rd this year) and then play on a 5th year option. Guys like Zack Martin and Aaron Donald refused to play on the 5th year option and I 100% agree with it

I would do 4 year deal with 3 being guaranteed if they don't do an extension.

4 out of 5 of the o-line is signed long term and they can help zeke out even if he slows down later into the contract.

Zeke has two more years on his rookie deal. If I’m not mistaken, it was a 5 yr deal. He just finished his third year.

 

[Bobhaze]

Emmitt had 4 rushing titles in his career. Zeke has 3 in 3 years with a male commissioner.

He'll play 15 years in the league. 14 rushing titles.

How about 20 years, 19 rushing titles? 25 and 24?

 

[Whyjerry]

It should be 3 years. He is a bit of a freak so maybe 4 of peak production. Tail results from then. The downside is that he gets a lot of contact. Great thing that Jerry wasted the first half of it.

 

[flosho]

It's not the Zeke window... It's the LVE / Jaylon Smith window...

 

[Tussinman]

Zeke has two more years on his rookie deal. If I’m not mistaken, it was a 5 yr deal. He just finished his third year.

Elliots deal was 4 years 25 million. All drafted players are 4 year deals (undrafted players I believe are allowed 3 year deals)

First rounders technically have the option to exercise a 5th year option but if the player is proven by then (guys like Zack Martin and Aaron Donald) they simply refuse to play under the 5th option.

Cowboys would have to declare the 5th year option by May or it can't happen. The 5th year deal is basically like a rookie version of the franchise tag, it just buys you some time for negotiating.