Lead Draft Writer
The Ezekiel Elliott era is over in Dallas.
The Cowboys have informed the veteran running back that he will be designated as a post-June 1 release in order to create cap space, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday, per sources.
“Zeke’s impact and influence is seared into the Cowboys franchise in a very special and indelible way,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. “He has been a consummate professional and leader that set a tone in our locker room, on the practice field and in the huddle. Zeke defined what a great teammate should be, and anyone that has ever played a team sport would be lucky to have a teammate like Zeke and be much better for it. His commitment and passion for winning is selfless, and the accountability he brings everyday earned the respect of our coaches, his teammates and our entire organization. He wore the Cowboys Star with pride and purpose every single time he put it on, and we’re a better franchise because of the example he set for veterans and rookies alike. That carried over into our community as well, with Zeke’s generosity and spirit about giving and caring for others.
“We have mutually agreed with Zeke that the best decision for everyone is that he will be able to experience free agency, and we can increase our flexibility and options as well. This is one of the toughest parts of operating a team. Moments like this come, and extremely difficult decisions and choices are made. For the franchise. For me personally. For players too. We will always have a special place and love for Zeke and what he means to our Cowboys family, both as a person and a player. That will never change.”
It is a move long anticipated, as Elliott’s place with the team had come into doubt over the past year, even with the Cowboys saying publicly that they wanted to find a way to bring him back
Elliott, 27, is coming off career lows in rush attempts (231), rush yards (876) and rushing average (3.8), although he did total 12 touchdowns and score in nine straight games last season. By midseason, it was clear Tony Pollard
Ever since Elliott signed a six-year, $90 million extension in 2019, he has been in a steady decline. He played through a knee injury, missing two games last season, and wore a brace thereafter.
Releasing Elliott as a post-June 1 cut will save the Cowboys more than $10 million, per Over the Cap. The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pollard, guaranteeing him a one-year tender at $10.1 million, even though he’s coming off a season-ending leg injury.
The NFL’s second-leading active rusher — 73 yards behind Derrick Henry — now will hit the market for the first time in his career. Elliott’s final play as a Cowboy was a bizarre one: snapping to the ball to Dak Prescott (and getting trucked) on a last-snap trick play that flopped badly in the Divisional Round playoff loss to the 49ers.
Elliott will finish his Cowboys career as Dallas’ third-leading rusher all time, behind Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.
The Houston Texans have secured LT Laremy Tunsil with a three-year, $75 million extension that includes $50 million in fully guaranteed money, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports.
The Dallas Cowboys are finalizing a trade to acquire wide receiver Brandin Cooks from the Houston Texans, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports, per a source.
New Bears running back D’Onta Foreman signed with Chicago on a modest one-year, $3 million contract, but he has big plans for his time in the Windy City.
Newly signed Browns safety Juan Thornhill believes Cleveland is a roster that’s ready to win a Super Bowl under new DC Jim Schwartz.
NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Visit NFL.com’s transaction hub for a daily breakdown.
Introduced as the newest New Orleans Saint on Friday, running back Jamaal Williams said his departure from the Detroit Lions followed a contract offer from the Lions that he felt was impertinent.
In his introductory news conference on Friday, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was clear that his familiarity with Josh McDaniels played a key role in him becoming a Raider.
Former New York Giants safety Julian Love has signed with the Seattle Seahawks, the team announced on Friday afternoon.
The NFL’s performance-based pay program rewards players who outplay their salaries on an annual basis. This year featured a few notable names, including a safety who entered the NFL as a late-round pick and cashed in with the highest distribution of all eligible players, and another defender whose perseverance inspired millions.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday announced the release of Cameron Brate after nine seasons.
In his introductory news conference Friday after inking a four-year, $44 million pact with the New York Jets, wide receiver Allen Lazard credited quarterback Aaron Rodgers with elevating his career after going undrafted in 2018.
NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Visit NFL.com’s transaction hub for a daily breakdown.
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