Dallas Cowboys: You’ve Been Warned

In the doldrums of summer the conversation around the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL turns crazy. Such is the topic of trading Zeke and his contract, we can’t say we weren’t warned.
Flip the calendar back two months ago and I wrote an article about the Dallas Cowboys possibly toying with Ezekiel Elliott (here). The premise was that I thought the Cowboys should re-sign Elliott, but there was more than enough evidence that they may not.
Simply put the NFL doesn’t value running backs like they used to, and as such, teams seem to be willing to let them walk or trade them.
About a week ago Jeff Cavanaugh set the Twitter world on fire with one simple tweet:
My hottest of hot takes. Trade Zeke to a team that wants to pay him long term for a 1st then give up a 3 for Duke.
— Jeff Cavanaugh (@timeforjeffrey) July 10, 2019
Please be gentle.
*ducks*
And like that, the conversation took off, even pulling in David Helman into the fray:
You could convince me not to pay Zeke. But I’m sure as hell gonna get rid of him in 2019 or 2020, which could be the peak of this roster’s championship window.
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) July 10, 2019
And if I let him go, I’m definitely replacing him with a younger, better back. https://t.co/oTLXsolWlF
For almost a week the conversation was about how bad of a take this was. There were some out there who agreed, but the majority of responses were about how ridiculous Jeff and David were. They certainly had their reasons, and really solid ones, but no one wanted to hear them. Fans were warned a second time.
Then today rolled around (July 15) and Patrik Walker dropped yet another bomb onto the conversation. While a holdout seems far fetched (thanks Mike Florio), it is just another piece to the puzzle.
Source: Ezekiel Elliott is in line for contract extension from #Cowboys with talks ongoing, and the All-Pro hasn't issued any ultimatums just yet »
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) July 15, 2019
READ ➡️ https://t.co/u4PqGRfubd pic.twitter.com/HVArOBw4Y5
Ultimately, the Cowboys are at a crossroads with Elliott. Regardless of what you feel about his off-field stuff (or lack thereof), the Cowboys have to make a decision on whether they will re-sign Zeke, trade him, or let him walk.
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I still believe they will sign a deal and get something done, but the warnings are there. The talk from Jason Garrett after the draft about Mike Weber, the conversations about how the NFL doesn’t value running backs like they used to, even small whispers of Zeke wanting to make sure communications for a new contract are progressing. All of it could mean anything at this point, but if something surprising happens, don’t say you weren’t warned.
There is some truth to the notion that NFL teams don’t value the running back position as much as they used to. Look at Le’veon Bell and Melvin Gordon, heck look at the Rams and Todd Gurley. Running backs just don’t seem to be the trend at the moment. Elite ones are still a rarity and I believe still hold enormous value, even if they do have somewhat shorter shelf-lives.
Related Story. Todd Gurley is cautionary tale for the Cowboys and Zeke. light
Not many people who have weighed in either believe the Cowboys will or ultimately should trade Zeke, but the notion is certainly out there. It really shouldn’t be a surprise if it does actually happen.
Next. Why Zeke may ultimately leave Dallas. dark
We have had the conversations, we will have more, but at the end of the day, the Dallas Cowboys have to be the ones to decide, and for that, we wait. However, we have been warned.
- Published on 07/16/2019 at 12:50 PM
- Last updated at 07/16/2019 at 12:50 PM