TLH: Cowboys Rumors, plan for Pollard and Zeke is the worst-case scenario

[Hawkeye0202]

https://thelandryhat.com/2023/02/08...rd-ezekiel-elliott-franchise-tag-restructure/

Cowboys Rumors: Plan for Tony Pollard, Ezekiel Elliott is the worst-case scenario​

by Jerry Trotta2 minutes ago


Much like appointing Brian Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator after Kellen Moore was surprisingly let go, Dallas Cowboys fans believe they have a strong pulse on the team’s plans for the running back position.

With Tony Pollard headed for unrestricted free agency, and coming off high-ankle surgery, and Ezekiel Elliott having zero guaranteed money left on his contract after he performed like a mid-tier (at best) running back in 2022, the Cowboys face tough decisions with their two-headed backfield monster.

Ideally, Dallas pulls the plug on Elliott and saves $10.9 million in salary cap space in the process. Zeke has made $70 million in his career until this point, so nobody should feel sorry if the Cowboys decide to make him a cap casualty.

Pollard, on the other hand, is a much murkier situation to navigate. Most fans want him back — Jerry Jones included — but at the right price.

The Cowboys still have plenty of time to mull this over, but the latest buzz from Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline is quite literally the nightmare scenario fans envisioned once Dallas’ season ended at the hands of the 49ers.

Per Pauline, the Cowboys plan to restructure Elliott’s contract, while the expectation is Pollard will be given the franchise tag.

 

[EJK24]

I can't see how we justify keeping Zeke. He has no burst left. We could draft a RB in the mid rounds and replace his production as a back up and move on from him.

 

[CATCH17]

Keeping Zeke is everything that’s wrong with this franchise.

A pure country club move.

 

[Sydla]

I hate when people say things like "Cutting Elliott saves $10.9 million in salary" without any context.

Sure, you don't have to pay him $10.9 million in salary this year. But there is some context needed here. If you cut him pre June 1, for all intents and purposes from a cap perspective you don't save $10.9 million because you have to advance a crap ton of bonus, option and restructure money that is on the books in future years. Now, if you designate him a June 1, you save the $10.9 mllion because you can split the bonus/option/restructure cap hits over two seasons.

All that being said, restructuring Zeke is such a stupid and idiotic thing to do. Why in the @#$%ing world would you kick even more cap hits into future years when Elliott could be even less effective than he already is? You are making it tougher to just cut him and save cap space in future years. And how much does a restructure even save? You'd still have to take a 6-7 million cap hit for what is a backup TB. That's moronic.

I really hope these are just bogus rumors. But sadly, we are a dumb franchise run by two goobers who haven't shown in over two decades they know what they are doing.

 

[jnday]

They could draft a couple RBs and get more production for much cheaper. All of the other teams do it.

 

[diamonddelts]

Get rid of Elliott. Period

 

[Redline360]

There's absolutely no reason why we shouldn't dump Zeke. Dude is 100% washed and barely worth vet minimum at this point. He provides nothing besides a wasted down when he touches the ball.

I know what Stephen said but no one can be that out of touch with reality. Even the Jone boys can't be that fn inept

 

[big dog cowboy]

Of course, a lot can happen between now and the new league year.

I sure as hell hope so.

 

[Aven8]

If you restructure Zeke than he’s playing folks. And if he’s playing we’re not winning. If you need a yard or two he’s your guy but this teams needs youth in the backfield. Playing RB is a young man’s game.

 

[dagreat1_87]

their decision on zeke is definitely going to impact my interest in this season and this team. Might have to adopt a temp team until Jerry kicks the bucket.....maybe permanently if stephen decides to take on the GM role

 

[JonesBoys]

If you restructure Zeke then he’s playing folks. And if he’s playing we’re not winning. If you need a yard or two he’s your guy but this teams needs youth in the backfield. Playing RB is a young man’s game.

If there is any doubt how inept the Jones boys are at running a team keeping Zeke in any capacity would cement it.

 

[JonesBoys]

There's absolutely no reason why we shouldn't dump Zeke. Dude is 100% washed and barely worth vet minimum at this point. He provides nothing besides a wasted down when he touches the ball.

I know what Stephen said but no one can be that out of touch with reality. Even the Jone boys can't be that fn inept

You sure about that?

 

[ChronicCowboy]

If Zeke’s deal gets redone he needs to take 6 million per year or less. That’s how much he’d cost over the next two years in dead cap if released. If he’ll take that amount we may as well keep him.

 

[Rockport]

Keeping Zeke is everything that’s wrong with this franchise.

A pure country club move.

You suckers believe everything on the internet is true

 

[JonesBoys]

I can't see how we justify keeping Zeke. He has no burst left. We could draft a RB in the mid rounds and replace his production as a back up and move on from him.

Most front offices you would be certain they are moving on from a player like Zeke but since it’s the Jones boys…..

 

[Redline360]

You sure about that?

Sadly no lol

 

[JayFord]

Cue the whining

Would i keep Elliott if he restructures? Yes

Would i be mad if he was let go? I love Elliott but he's past his prime but he can still get you 800-900 yards as RB2

Should they possibly let both go and rock with Malik Davis and a proven RB in free agency (not premier but proven) yes thats great as well

all options work imo its however they want to go

 

[Coogiguy03]

I can't see how we justify keeping Zeke. He has no burst left. We could draft a RB in the mid rounds and replace his production as a back up and move on from him.

We like our guys think Zeke is a focal point of our offense lol

 

[Coogiguy03]

Most front offices you would be certain they are moving on from a player like Zeke but since it’s the Jones boys…..

Not us we confess our love for said player and say we have no thoughts of doing that

 

[Xeven]

RB has short careers, is what it is. Time to move on from Zeke. It’s a competitive sport after all.