Zeke's salary compared to Super Bowl participants

[sunalsorises]

You wouldn’t have to pay him anything.

His cap hit is 17 million, not 12. And if you cut him you save 5 million in cap space.

If he is cut then the cap hit is $12 million. They save $5 million. I’m not sure saving $5 million is worth losing $12 million but $17 million is too much to pay any running back.

I’m not sure how much Dallas still owes him in guaranteed money. If he truly makes nothing if cut then I could see the two sides working something out.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I don’t disagree but cutting Zeke has a $12 million cap hit. Is it worth it just to be rid of him. Granted, he has declined but he can still do some things. Is the cap savings truly worth paying Zeke $12 million to play elsewhere worth it?

Why do you keep asking this, lol?

The simple answer is yes.

If you keep him onboard under the existing contract he counts $16.7M against the cap.

You’re not “saving” $12M by keeping him on the roster.

Zeke at this point is not even a middling NFL-caliber RB.

 

[CyberB0b]

Jerry got rinsed on this deal. Zeke holds out with 2 years remaining on his rookie deal and gets one of the biggest RB contracts in league history. I want his agent.

 

[Surfguy]

So, Jerry is willing to jettison Cooper because his salary is too high for his production and we would have to sacrifice at other positions to keep him. Yet, Zeke's salary is high and his production is average at best. But, we don't want to move on from him. Jerry is clearly playing favorites...which is his right to do as owner and GM. Let's not pretend it isn't hurting this team, however.

 

[lukin2006]

Bringing Elliot back in any capacity is just dumb. As soon as he held out he should have been let go…i can’t stand Elliot…

everything from the feed me, to the dumb haircut and nose rings…get rid of him…

 

[sunalsorises]

Why do you keep asking this, lol?

The simple answer is yes.

If you keep him onboard under the existing contract he counts $16.7M against the cap.

You’re not “saving” $12M by keeping him on the roster.

Zeke at this point is not even a middling NFL-caliber RB.

I realize he is not worth his contract. If he is cut then he counts for $12 million against the cap. If he plays as is then he counts $17 million against the cap. Essentially, it costs Dallas $5 million to keep him because either way Dallas loses at least $12 million. My question is, is it worth it to keep him for what amounts to $5 million. Clearly you say no.

 

[CowboyRoy]

One of many discussions, this off season, is keep Zeke and/or Pollard. While majority of Dallas fans sees the decline of the "former" FEED ME running back, even paying Zeke the veteran minimum is still too much. He is a RB3 type now and those players play on special teams, which Zeke will not do. Now we go to Pollard and we all enjoy his big play ability. But he is coming off injury and he will want alittle less what Zeke use to have. Is that too much? Cowboy fans will say sign him and I would also but lets take a peek at this:
The #Chiefs are paying four running backs a combined $6.3M this year. The #Eagles are paying three running backs a combined $4M this year. The #Cowboys paid Ezekiel Elliott $12.4M in 2022...

Something to think about with Lamb, Diggs and Parsons contract coming soon

If your going to pay your QB 40 million then THIS is the position you need to save the money. Spend money on the Oline, not the back. Get a top 5 Oline and you will have a run game.

Never take a back with a first round pick and never give him a 2nd contract unless its team friendly.

 

[32BellyOption]

Backs are a dime a dozen. Use those young, fresh and cheap rookie legs and invest your dollars in both lines. It’s how real GM’s do it.

 

[MyFairLady]

Fat Zeke must go no serious team would even consider him.

 

[Aviano90]

Zeke’s best move in his entire career was the holdout. Can’t fault him for that.

 

[LifetimeBoysFan]

We need a Stephen blind man meme complete with shades and a walking stick:
"I see no drop off in Zeke"

Ignorence is bliss, Stephen just likes making that a factual statement.

 

[Bobhaze]

One of many discussions, this off season, is keep Zeke and/or Pollard. While majority of Dallas fans sees the decline of the "former" FEED ME running back, even paying Zeke the veteran minimum is still too much. He is a RB3 type now and those players play on special teams, which Zeke will not do. Now we go to Pollard and we all enjoy his big play ability. But he is coming off injury and he will want alittle less what Zeke use to have. Is that too much? Cowboy fans will say sign him and I would also but lets take a peek at this:
The #Chiefs are paying four running backs a combined $6.3M this year. The #Eagles are paying three running backs a combined $4M this year. The #Cowboys paid Ezekiel Elliott $12.4M in 2022...

Something to think about with Lamb, Diggs and Parsons contract coming soon

The Cowboys in 2022 allocated 9.36% of cap space to the RB position. The league avg for cap space % at the RB position in 2022 was 2.34%. Almost all of this cap space was on Zeke since Pollard and Davis were both making less than a million last year, with both still on rookie deals.

Keeping Zeke on this roster at even a 50% discount would be insane. His productivity has fallen off the table.
Here‘s a link showing what we spent at RB last year: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/positional/running-back/2022/full-cap/

 

[JohnsKey19]

Bringing Elliot back in any capacity is just dumb. As soon as he held out he should have been let go…i can’t stand Elliot…

everything from the feed me, to the dumb haircut and nose rings…get rid of him…

I don't have any ill feelings towards the guy but as far as his play on the field is concerned, it's time to move on. 1 million, 2 million, 5...it doesn't matter. He's simply too limited as a runner. The good teams aren't wasting downs on "effective" 3 yard gains to "wear down the defense". Pollard, Davis and a draft pick is the way to go.

 

[Flamma]

Haven't you heard? Stephen Jones, capologist and VP/Director of player personnel sees no drop off in Zeke.

I still am baffled by how a RB can lose his burst at age 23. He hasn't had it since then.

 

[Aven8]

In Philly when Sanders wasn’t darting through, Gainwell came in and was awesome.

In KC Pacheco is a stud.

Both Gainwell and Pacheco are 23 years old.

Time for this team to go young at RB.

 

[lukin2006]

I don't have any ill feelings towards the guy but as far as his play on the field is concerned, it's time to move on. 1 million, 2 million, 5...it doesn't matter. He's simply too limited as a runner. The good teams aren't wasting downs on "effective" 3 yard gains to "wear down the defense". Pollard, Davis and a draft pick is the way to go.

Emmett Smith Held out for a contract in '93 I believe...but he did not have a contract at the time. But when Smith got his new contract he lead us to the Super Bowl and became the NFL's all-time leading rusher. Smith never cheated us. I can't say the same for Elliot. Plus Dorsett and Smith were class personified...Elliot not so much...I really don't get the Jones boy's fascination with Elliot. He's a progress-stopper at this point.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

One of many discussions, this off season, is keep Zeke and/or Pollard. While majority of Dallas fans sees the decline of the "former" FEED ME running back, even paying Zeke the veteran minimum is still too much. He is a RB3 type now and those players play on special teams, which Zeke will not do. Now we go to Pollard and we all enjoy his big play ability. But he is coming off injury and he will want alittle less what Zeke use to have. Is that too much? Cowboy fans will say sign him and I would also but lets take a peek at this:
The #Chiefs are paying four running backs a combined $6.3M this year. The #Eagles are paying three running backs a combined $4M this year. The #Cowboys paid Ezekiel Elliott $12.4M in 2022...

Something to think about with Lamb, Diggs and Parsons contract coming soon

What? A Zeke contract thread? Well this doesn't happen often. Thanks for the rare heads up!

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

I love pollard and the offense is better with him on the field. He kicks it into another gear but if we can’t get a reasonable 2-3 year contract we have to draft his replacement. Cutting zeke is a no brainer.

Zeke may not be putting up 2016 numbers, sure. May not be worth a bus load of money, sure.

But we do have some people that think they are watching Madden football. Pollard ain't gonna get a RB next year that will double block to spring him for a long gain.

My hope is that when we curbstomp him off the team....we fix the o-line so Pollard can chew yards up the field instead of showcasing his speed to the edge.

 

[J12B]

Zeke june 1st cut. Save 10 million
Pollard 2nd or 3rd round transition tag
Draft a rb, sign 1 free agent cheap or just use davis. Hire the best ol coach who knows how to run block and work on it heavily in conjunction with screens and playaction all from the same formations.

You can't use a transition tag on a player who was drafted. Those are only for Undrafted players after their 3rd season.

 

[charron]

You can't use a transition tag on a player who was drafted. Those are only for Undrafted players after their 3rd season.

good info I didn't know that. TY