Flash forward to after this season and he's stayed out all season and only lost 3.9M and gets 9M to play 2020. The unthinkable has happened as it did in PIT and they found a good replacement and they extended the QB and WR. Now they have a 9M RB that they have to either bring in or trade and all of the possible trade partners, that are willing to pay him what he wants, have the upper hand. Plus they have a couple of players that that 9M would help keep.
No team is giving 2 1sts for a RB, I think the list that would give 1 is a very small one but add the money he wants I don't think there's a team willing to give a 1st. Add to this that if his replacement is more effective at scoring, does Elliott's value get reduced even more?
I do wonder if they've talked to his agent about if he is interested in a trade or put any feelers out to gauge the interest level? One of the magpies has already said they're not interested in making him the highest paid, I believe it was the same one that said it started with Gurley's numbers. So, one of the parties is going to have to crater and if it's the Cowboys, good luck in the future with star players. Maybe Vander Esch decides to push it in 2021 after they exercise his option? If you can get the team to blink with 2 years left on a rookie deal, why not go for it?
One thing for sure, the rest of the teams, agents and 1st round picks eligible for that option are all watching this closely and the guy with the reins in his hands is the lead guy for the owners in the CBA.