Ezekiel Elliott played things perfectly. Perhaps one of the last stable bell-cow running backs, the Ohio State star came into the league and became the focal part of the Dallas offense and the face of the Cowboys franchise. In his first three seasons, Elliott led the league in yards per game, and would have led it in rushing yardage if it weren’t for a six-game suspension that was questionable, at best, when handed down.
Seeing this, he and his financial team made sure to secure the bag, earning at the time the richest contract in NFL history for his position. Elliott also led the NFL in attempts in both 2016 and 2018, and averaged three more carries per contest than he did in those seasons in 2017. The work took it’s toll in the form of diminishing returns, though, as even the most vocal Elliott supporter will admit. I’m him. I’m admitting it. And I’m worried Dan Quinn is making a similar mistake with linebacker Micah Parsons.