FRISCO, Texas — Ezekiel Elliott wants to remain with the Cowboys next season.
He is amenable to what that scenario would likely require of him.
The running back is willing to accept a pay cut this offseason, recognizing that a reduced salary can better fit him into the franchise’s plans, a person familiar with Elliott’s thinking told The Dallas Morning News on Monday afternoon. He is currently scheduled to earn a $10.9 million salary in 2023.
Elliott and the front office have time to reach an agreement. There is no particular rush, as the season just concluded in Sunday’s playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers. It may be ideal, although not required, for the contract restructure to be completed before the new league year starts March 15.
He was asked about his Cowboys future following Sunday’s game.
“I’ve definitely thought about it,” said Elliott, who signed a six-year, $90 million contract extension in 2019 following a holdout. “I want to be here. I don’t have a crystal ball; I can’t tell you the future. But I definitely want to be here.”
While negotiating financial terms can prove a process, Elliott’s desire to come to the table is a significant step toward an eighth NFL season in Dallas. The Cowboys are believed to have interest in keeping Elliott, too, because of what he brings, on and off the field.
Elliott, who turns 28 in July, is considered a selfless teammate, someone who has supported Tony Pollard’s rising role in the offense. He is also reliable in pass protection and fumbled once on 532 touches over the past two regular seasons combined.
Elliott did average a career-low 3.8 yards per carry in 2022.
Some context accompanied that relative inefficiency. One component is how the entire run game struggled following right tackle Terence Steele’s ACL tear on Dec. 11. The Cowboys averaged 4.8 yards per carry with Steele on the field in 2022 compared with 3.3 yards without him, including the postseason.
Elliott’s efficiency swung from 4.3 to 2.6 yards, with and without Steele.
“Honestly, when you talk about brotherhood and culture,” quarterback Dak Prescott said, “Zeke as much as anybody in that locker room should get that credit for being able to be light and have fun but at the same time lock in. If you want to see a guy who’s done it better than anyone, that’s him.
“For young guys to see that, that you can have fun when you come into these locker rooms and play this game but it’s also very important when it’s time to get serious, time to study, time to make sure that you’re on your Ps and Qs, you do that. That’s Zeke for you.”
Like other positions on the roster, the Cowboys have much to sort at running back this offseason.
Pollard fractured his left fibula Sunday and is expected to undergo surgery Tuesday. His rookie contract is scheduled to expire on March 15. If the team decides to place the franchise tag on Pollard, it must be done by March 7.
Meanwhile, this is the first offseason since Elliott signed the 2019 extension that he doesn’t have any guarantees tied to his salary. That gives the Cowboys some leverage to push for a reworked contract.
Theoretically, the Cowboys could release Elliott and avoid paying him the $10.9 million salary for 2023. Doing so with a post-June 1 designation would mean Elliott counts $5.82 million against the 2023 salary cap and $6.04 million in 2024. Again, that route is believed to be counter to the club’s intentions.
A foundation is in place for Elliott to sign a contract restructure that better aligns him with today’s running-back market.
If there is one certainty about the Cowboys’ offseason, it is that Elliott won’t be back under his contract as it is presently written. And he is on board with that.
