Cowboys restructure RB Ezekiel Elliott's contract

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys restructure three-time Pro Bowl RB Ezekiel Elliott's contract

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 8/27/21

The Dallas Cowboys have added some cap space with the preseason nearing a close.

According to ESPN's Field Yates, the Cowboys have restructured Ezekiel Elliott's contract. They converted $8.6 million of his $9.6 million base salary to a signing bonus. The move creates $6.88 million in cap space.

The Cowboys have converted $8.6M of RB Ezekiel Elliott's $9.6M base salary into a signing bonus, creating $6.88M in 2021 cap space.

Dallas adds more flexibility as it heads into the season and with roster cut downs around the corner.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 27, 2021

The extra cap space could be useful if a player of interest becomes available this week when teams make their final roster cuts.

Elliott, who was drafted fourth overall in 2016, is under contract through 2026 after signing a six-year, $90 million deal with the Cowboys in Sept. 2019.

The 26-year-old appeared in 15 games last season, rushing for 979 yards and six touchdowns, adding 52 catches for 338 yards and two scores. It was a down year by Elliott's standards, though the Cowboys as a whole didn't have a great 2020 season.

With Dak Prescott back at quarterback and several offseason additions, Dallas could make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2018, especially in a relatively easy NFC East division.

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