Ezekiel Elliott will be on the field in time for the season opener after all.
The Cowboys and their star running back have reached an agreement on a six-year deal, the team announced Wednesday morning. The new contract will be worth $90 million in new money, with $50 million guaranteed.
The post you've all been waiting for...@EzekielElliott agrees to new deal on contract extension.
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 4, 2019
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Elliott, who had one year left on his rookie contract as well as a fifth-year team option, is now under contract witih Dallas through the 2026 season.
The $15 million average annual value and $50 million gurantee take Elliott past the Rams' Todd Gurley ($14.375 million/$45 million) to make him the NFL's highest-paid running back.
Compromise in Ezekiel Elliott’s six-year, $90 million extension is simple. Cowboys give on APY ($15 million), nudging Zeke past Gurley for highest paid. Zeke gives on years, basically signing away the rest of his time as a premier back to the team.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 4, 2019
Wins on both sides.
Dallas had offered to make Elliott the second-highest paid rusher, but he held out for the long haul as he continued to train in Mexico with Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk while sitting out the preseason.
The 24-year-old returned to Dallas on Tuesday and is expected to participate in practice Wednesday.
A workhorse in the team's offense, Elliott earned his second rushing title in three years with 1,434 yards on a league-high 304 carries with six touchdowns last season. He added 77 receptions for 567 yards with three scores.
The Cowboys kick off Week 1 action hosting the Giants at 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday.