Cowboys considered Zeke's pride before releasing him

Ezekiel Elliott Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys considered Ezekiel Elliott's pride before releasing him

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 3/31/23

It seems that the Dallas Cowboys’ decision to release team great Ezekiel Elliott earlier this month was as much about respect as it was finances.

Heading into the offseason, there was always a strong chance that Elliott’s seven-year tenure with Dallas might come to the end. Despite rumors he could maybe take a pay cut, the team eventually pulled the trigger and released the former Buckeyes back before the official start of NFL free agency. The move made a great deal of sense for the team, as they were able to recoup over $10 million of the $16 million he was set to make during the coming season.

The assumption in many corners of the league was that the Cowboys cut the three-time Pro Bowler because he was uninterested in taking a pay cut. However, it seems that conversations might not have even reached that point.

At the annual NFL owner meetings this week, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones spoke on the team's decision to cut their franchise stalwart, explaining that it was a choice made in order to allow him to find his value on the open market, instead of in a reduced salary request.

"The last thing we want to do is do anything that would be insulting to a player, to a great player, like Zeke, who was one of the best players to ever put on a Cowboys uniform," Jones said. "There are sensitivities when you get into making offers. Sometimes the best thing is to let them get a feel for what the market is.”

It seems that the strategy might have been a sound one, as Elliott has had difficulty landing the salary he is looking for in NFL free agency. The door to the possibility of a return to Dallas next season might still be open, if only a crack.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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