Should the Dallas Cowboys pay Ezekiel Elliott or trade him?

With rumors of a possible holdout emerging, should the Dallas Cowboys simply pay running back Ezekiel Elliott or consider trading him away?

Just over a week since it was announced the NFL would not punish Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott for an incident that took place in Vegas in May, rumors have now emerged that the former first-rounder is considering holding out of training camp until he gets a contract extension.

According to Pro Football Talk, an unnamed league source revealed that Elliott has privately said he will hold out of training camp unless he gets a new contract. This is a troubling revelation considering Elliott’s recent and past off-the-field issues plus the fact he’s still got two years left on his rookie contract.

Having led the NFL in rushing for two of his first three seasons in the league, Elliott is undoubtedly wanting a major payday. According to Overthecap.com, the highest-paid running back going into 2019 is the Los Angeles Rams’ Todd Gurley averaging $14.3 million per season. Elliott’s salary demands figure to run just north of those numbers.

At only 23-years of age, Elliott likely has several more productive seasons ahead of him. And with teammates like quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper also looking for new deals in Dallas, Zeke surely wants to get paid as well.

But unlike Prescott and Cooper, Elliott has a troubling off-the-field history that includes a six-game suspension in 2017 for suspected domestic violence. His latest run-in with the law was caught on video and has now resulted in a 19-year-old security guard wanting Zeke charged with battery.

If Elliott decides to hold out of training camp, it may send the wrong message to the Cowboys’ brass who have supported him throughout all of his issues, including his latest incident in Vegas. If Dallas feels disrespected by a holdout and considering many teams seemed to believe effective running backs can be found almost anywhere, America’s Team may finally decide Zeke isn’t worth the trouble.

If so, there could be a window of opportunity for a team to move in for a trade. The Cowboys do have a recent history of moving on from successful running backs, allowing DeMarco Murray to join the Philadelphia Eagles via free agency after he led the NFL in rushing with 1,845 yards in 2014.

Although the Cowboys would certainly miss Elliott, Zeke would likely miss Dallas just as much. Before his arrival in 2016, the Cowboys invested three first-round selections into their offensive line. All three are perennial Pro Bowlers. Along with likely the greatest undrafted free agent signing in league history, right tackle La’el Collins, Elliott has benefited from excellent offensive line play. Something he’s unlikely to find elsewhere.

Ezekiel Elliott is the Dallas Cowboys’ most important offensive weapon. And it’s hard to imagine any NFL team moving on from Elliott as he enters his prime. Yet, if Zeke decides to holdout, the negative message it sends to the front office and ownership in Dallas after all of their support may be enough to allow the Cowboys to move on. Tread carefully, Zeke.

If the Dallas Cowboys did trade Ezekiel Elliott, what would you like to see them get in return? And do you believe the Cowboys could replace Zeke’s production with another back? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.