Why the Dallas Cowboys will extend Ezekiel Elliott early

Ezekiel Elliott is reportedly hungry for an early extension to his rookie contract and the Dallas Cowboys are likely ready to feed.

It’s time to accept the fact Ezekiel Elliott will sign a contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys. Barring injury or an off the field issue, the only question involves timing.

Contract parameters must be agreed upon and eventually will. But the sticky part is deciding whether to extend him a year early in 2020 or dangerously early in 2019.

WHY DALLAS WILL EXTEND NOW

Jerry Jones won’t allow his elite draft pick (4th overall) to make Pro Bowls in another uniform during his prime. He won’t risk the friction of refusing to negotiate.

What about DeMarco Murray? He was drafted, made two Pro Bowls, yet still let go. Murray was a later pick (third round) and took three years to break 1,000 yards.

However, after he left in 2015, Jones watched his 12-4 team tank to 4-12. The next draft he used his high pick of college superstars to cure the sting of losing Murray.

Jones also knows finding another 1,400+ yards rusher within two years is rare. Murray and Elliott combined for three 1,400+ yards seasons in the last five years.

Only three other backs have done it in Cowboys history …Tony Dorsett (1), Herschel Walker (1), and Emmitt Smith (6). Smith (1995) was the last before Murray (2014).

WHY DALLAS SHOULD EXTEND NOW

Extending players for fear of not being able to find a comparable replacement is lazy and incompetent practice. Yet Dallas has displayed this in a few past extensions.

Worrying if a player will be disgruntled by only making a guaranteed $24 million while holding two more years of his rights shouldn’t move the needle either. It will for Jerry.

Dallas should extend Zeke now simply because it makes good business sense. He already carries the 4th highest cap hit ($7.9 million) among running backs in 2019.

The Cowboys routinely back-load hefty, multi-year contracts. It’s likely Elliott’s early years cap hit will be lower or similar to his current scheduled cost for 2019 and 2020.

DOWNSIDE OF VERY EARLY EXTENSION

Extending a first round draft pick two seasons before his right’s expire will set a dangerous precedent. Teams are given a fifth year option in compensation for the excessive risk and guaranteed money given to their highest selection.

Zeke may have earned his early seat at the table, but setting this new precedent is risky. A similar scenario could emerge again with a solid, but less worthy top pick.

If Dallas gives a two-year early extension to their Pro Bowl running back now, it opens the door for agents of future successful, high picks to make early demands.