3 reasons Cowboys would be insane to keep Ezekiel Elliott in 2023
By Jerry Trotta
The biggest question looming over the Dallas Cowboys this offseason is the future of Ezekiel Elliott. Yes, fixing Dak Prescott, or at least getting him back to being more responsible with the football, should top the list, but there’s no conversation to be had about Prescott’s future with the organization.
Elliott is a different story.
Seemingly seeing the writing on the wall, Elliott has already expressed a willingness to take a pay cut to return to Dallas in 2023. As of this writing, the three-time Pro Bowler carries a $16.72 million cap hit for next year. Only Prescott, DeMarcus Lawrence, Zack Martin and Tyron Smith carry bigger numbers.
In other words, Elliott will be more expensive than Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, Jayron Kearse, Trevon Diggs and Osa Odighizuwa.
The idea of keeping the 27-year-old on a reduced salary might resonate with the front office, but here’s why it’d be insane to do so.
3 reasons Cowboys cannot keep Ezekiel Elliott in 2023
3. Cowboys could simply draft his replacement
The Bijan Robinson discourse isn’t slowing down anytime soon, especially after ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. projected the Texans phenom to the Cowboys at No. 26 overall in his latest mock draft. A large contingent of fans would like to see Dallas draft Robinson if it meant parting ways with Elliott.
The Cowboys’ rushing attack wasn’t great down the stretch of the regular season, but the offensive line is plenty good enough to support a rookie back.
Whether it’s a combination of Tony Pollard, Malik Davis, and a third/fourth-round rookie, Bijan Robinson and Malik Davis, or something along those lines, there is a world that exists where Dallas running game survives without Elliott.
In fact, it was better without him this year.
The 2022 running back class showed great potential this season, and not a single one was drafted in the first round: Breece Hall (second), Kenneth Walker (second), James Cook (second), Brian Robinson (third), Rachaad White (fourth), Dameon Pierce (fourth), Tyler Allgeier (fifth), and Isiah Pacheco (seventh).
You can find value in every round. Bijan is a potential superstar from Day 1, but there are ample backs the Cowboys could draft to replace Elliott.