The Cowboys never offered Ezekiel Elliott a new deal before the franchise released him on March 15, citing that it did not want to offend the three-time Pro Bowl running back.
Elliott was set to carry a $16.7 million charge against the Cowboys salary cap prior to his release. Instead, Dallas freed up $10.9 million with his departure. The franchise explored multiple options to retain him that included a pay cut according to The Dallas Morning News, but now the son of owner Jerry Jones has shared why an offer was not made.
Cowboys executive vice president and CEO Stephen Jones said putting a limited deal in front of “one of the best players to ever put on a Cowboys uniform” risked insulting him.