Tag: potential release

Financial ramifications if Cowboys release Ezekiel Elliott run gamut

On the heels of discussing ways out from Jaylon and Amari’s contract, if push comes to shove for the #Cowboys, our Cap & Contract series continues with a look at Ezekiel Elliott’s deal. The ins, outs and offsets that could come into play.

What I’m about to state is irrelevant to subsequent conversation, but I figured it is important to have full transparency. I do not believe Ezekiel Elliott is done being a premiere back in the National Football League. I state this because when discussing something that causes a huge divide among a fan base, it’s important to place any biases on the table. There is no question 2020 has been a huge disappointment when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys, and Elliott’s play ranks highly among the issues when discussing the club’s 2-3 start.

For me, that’s where evaluation ends of Elliott’s 2020 season. Everything that happens after the loss of Dak Prescott is noise because of several factors that even the most ardent detractors of Elliott would have to admit. But again, that’s irrelevant here. This discussion is about what options the Cowboys have financially if they decide it best to part ways with Elliott.

My friend Bob Sturm, who is worth the subscription to The Athletic all on his own, wrote a fascinating piece looking into Elliott’s play since he’s been in the league (spoiler: best by far) and over the last season and a half (spoiler: not so good). He weaves it around conversation of how best to build the roster moving forward and centralizes focus on the Elliott extension signed prior to 2019.

I’d lightly quibble with Sturm’s assertion Elliott was the trendsetter in terms of drafting backs high or paying them; Todd Gurley was the No. 10 overall pick in 2015 and got a huge deal a year prior to Elliott’s. That’s insignificant though in the larger context Sturm makes that Elliott’s production has fallen off.

He makes a sound argument in that regard, and while I have my personal opinion about some of the factors in play, even I can readily admit there is a case to be made from the other side of the aisle.

But again, that’s not what this article is about.

We’re here to dissect the proposition Sturm put forward at the end of his piece; that the Cowboys would be wise to eat the cost associated with jettisoning Elliott this offseason because of how quickly his contract will lock them into a 2022 agreement.

Let’s break it all down.

How the Cowboys can escape Jaylon Smith’s bad contract

Whether or not they choose to do it, Dallas should have a decision to make about the contract they gave out and Dak plays a part in it.

Whether or not they choose to do it, the Dallas Cowboys have to seriously consider if keeping Jaylon Smith on board is in the team’s best interest. Full disclosure, I was against drafting Smith to begin with. His injury seemed to be too insurmountable to be a contributor in his early years and that proved to be correct. I was also against giving him an extension when they did as locking him in completely voided the remaining cheap labor and control of his rookie contract.

But here the Cowboys are, watching him be generally a bad player, week in and week out. There are caveats of course. After what should’ve been a Pro Bowl nomination in 2018, Smith regressed in 2019 (but got the honor). A new coaching staff took over, saw the tape and said he shouldn’t be a middle linebacker any longer and spent the truncated offseason with him on the weak side.

Week 1 saw those plans go up in smoke with Leighton Vander Esch’s injury and Smith having to move back to the Mike. Since, he’s looked completely lost more often than not, slow to react and many times going in the opposite direction of where he should on a play. Aside from the fact he never regained his insane athleticism from his pre-injury days, his instincts now seem bad.

Whether or not that’s because of the position change, complicated Mike Nolan scheme or lack of attention to detail is something outside observers don’t know.

What we can know is that this isn’t working.

The Cowboys front office loves Smith for multiple reasons. He is a very intelligent guy with an amazing redemption story. He’s a true team player, is involved heavily in the community and trying to uplift folks and has a keen business sense. People rightfully want to root for him.

But those things are not what makes a guy worthy of a big deal. Dallas gave that to him, and now they have to take a serious look into whether they should honor the backend of the extension they gave him or look to cut bait.