The NFL threw Zeke Elliott the tiniest of bones by deciding not to suspend him following an altercation with a security guard earlier this summer. It saved its biggest gift for Kansas City Chiefs speedster Tyreek Hill, who will not miss a single practice in training camp despite disturbing allegations that he abused his 3-year-old son.
Elliott needed commissioner Roger Goodell to go soft on crime two years ago when he missed six games in the aftermath of an embarrassing investigation by the league. Jerry Jones was so angry about the suspension that he went rogue and tried to have Goodell fired.
The league now has decided to look for reasons to exonerate star players in order to maintain solid TV ratings. Goodell can take the public relations hit because he’s back on solid footing with most of the owners. Seems like it’s been forever since he attempted to take down Tom Brady over deflated footballs. In this new climate, it would be shocking if Patriots owner Bob Kraft received even a slap on the hand for his massage parlor adventures.
Now, Elliott is threatening to steal the headlines at the start of training camp with talk of a holdout. Pro Football Talk, which published the initial report, said Saturday that Elliott is contemplating a trip to a foreign locale instead of Oxnard, Calif. This seems like a long shot with two seasons remaining on his rookie contract, but I will be on the scene to document this potential story.
Dak Prescott will likely advise Elliott to show up for camp and allow his agent to work on the contract. Prescott has enormous influence on Elliott, and he also has his back. Prescott was asked about Elliott’s impact on the offense during the quarterback’s camp in Starkville, Miss., on Saturday.
“It does it all,” Prescott said via WFAA-TV. “It allows the game to open up. When you can run the ball successfully, all it does is open up the passing game, opens up the play-action game. It allows you to be dominant in the second half and in the fourth quarter when you need to be.”
Prescott isn’t threatening a holdout because he knows he’s about to land a huge contract. He is the Cowboys’ priority because of the position he plays and the fact he’s entering the final year of his contract. Elliott and his agent are fully aware the Cowboys ran DeMarco Murray into the ground and then let him walk in free agency. Elliott is every bit as important to the Cowboys as Prescott heading into this season, hence his desire to get something done. He knows the clock ticks faster for running backs due to the wear and tear.
I went on Colin Cowherd’s FS1 TV show Wednesday and said I believed there was a 2% chance Elliott wouldn’t show up for camp. Cowherd believes the Cowboys should look to trade Elliott, in part because of his off-field issues. That’s not going to happen, but it’s also safe to assume Elliott’s not getting a contract extension any time soon.
Prescott could truly have Elliott’s back if he indicated a willingness to take less money in order to accelerate the running back’s negotiations. But based on Prescott’s recent comments to USA Today, he believes an increased salary cap and revenue from future gambling partnerships makes it foolish for him to take a “team-friendly” deal.
Jones might get his feelings hurt by an Elliott holdout since he went to the wall for him to fight the 2016 suspension. He will likely try to assure Elliott he’ll eventually be fairly compensated. Will that be enough to assuage the running back?
We only have to wait three days to find out.