Dallas' extension of linebacker Jaylon Smith was bound to ruffle a few feathers given Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper still haven't received a new contract.
But Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones stood by the decision Wednesday as the move became official. He took a shot at those representing players in the process.
“I have a lot of respect for, you know, most agents,” Jones told reporters, per The Athletic. “I really do. I think they’re trying to do their job for these players. But I do think sometimes they don’t have the end game that maybe the players should and we do.”
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Added Jones: “I think sometimes our players have to realize that their representatives don’t always have what’s in the best interest, getting the very most they can for the players may not be in the interest of their long-term future if they want to – and I’m totally convinced all our players do – want to win championships and keep these young players right now. I don’t think the representatives, and they’re all good ones, feel like that’s their problem.”
While the remark didn't appear to be directed at one player in particular, it's could be assumed that Jones was referring to Elliott's agent Rocky Arceneaux.
Elliott has remained a holdout throughout the preseason over his contract dispute and racked up more than $900,000 in fines for not reporting to training camp. He recently returned to Texas after training in Mexico, but the situation soured this week as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones joked, "Who? Now Zeke who?" after fellow running back Tony Pollard impressed in the team's 14-10 win against the Rams.
"I didn't think it was funny and neither did Zeke — we actually thought it was disrespectful," Arceneaux told ESPN on Monday.
The Cowboys are scheduled to open the regular season Sept. 8 against the Giants, and there have been conflicting reports on whether Elliott will sit out as he seeks his extension.
He has one year left on his rookie contract as well as a fifth-year team option.