Dallas Cowboys obviously take fifth-year option on Ezekiel Elliott

In a no-brainer move by the organization, the Dallas Cowboys have elected to pick up the fifth-year option on former first-round running back Ezekiel Elliott.

The Dallas Cowboys made Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott the fourth overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. Ironically, the Cowboys don’t own a first-round selection at all in this week’s NFL draft after trading the 27th overall pick to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for wide receiver Amari Cooper last season.

During his first three seasons in the NFL, Elliott has led the league in rushing yardage and rushing attempts twice. He’s also been named to the Pro Bowl and an All-Pro two times as well.

Elliott was entering the final year of his rookie contract in Dallas this upcoming season. But because he was a first-round selection, the Cowboys had the option of picking up a fifth-year on his rookie deal. And on Wednesday it was announced that Dallas has decided to exercise that option … obviously.

That means the 23-year old running back is now under contract to play for the Cowboys for the next two seasons. Elliott will be paid $9.09 million in 2020, that according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. The fourth-year back is scheduled to have a salary cap hit of $7.9 million this season per Spotrac.com.

The Cowboys are expected to negotiate a contract extension for Elliott prior to his rookie deal being completed, possibly even this year. In July of 2018, Los Angeles Rams’ running back Todd Gurley inked a four-year, $60 million deal with $45 million guaranteed. Elliott’s new contract is expected to exceed those numbers.

Ezekiel Elliott rushed for a career-high 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns during his rookie season back in 2016. Last year, Elliott posted 1,431 yards and six scores helping to lead the Dallas Cowboys to a 10-6 record and their second postseason appearance in three years.