Jerry Jones doesn't seem to think the Cowboys need Ezekiel Elliott to win a Super Bowl, but one Dallas legend thinks otherwise.
Michael Irvin recently voiced his opinion on Elliott's holdout, which has stretched to the first week of the preseason, and Jones' stance that Dallas can make it to and even win the Super Bowl without the two-time Pro Bowl running back.
“I know for a fact before Jerry Jones leaves time and go to eternity, he wants to drink the sweet nectar of a championship again," Irvin said, via TMZ Sports. "And, that nectar he will not partake in without Ezekiel Elliott."
Jones recently said "you don't have to have a rushing champion to win a Super Bowl" as questions surrounding Dallas' intentions to work out a new deal with Elliott heighten.
Irvin acknowledged the team could still do well without the league's leading rusher, but the former Cowboys wide receiver, who helped the team to three of its five Super Bowl wins, doesn't think Dallas will see that glory again without the star in the backfield.
“You may win games. You may sell tickets. And, you may make some money," Irvin said. "But that nectar, you will not drink without Ezekiel Elliott."
Elliott earned his second rushing title in three years with 1,434 yards on a league-high 304 carries with six touchdowns last season, while adding 77 receptions for 567 yards with three touchdowns.
He has been working out to stay in shape in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, according to multiple reports, but will not return to the team without a new deal, ESPN noted, citing a source close to the situation.
But, the same report added, Elliott holding out into the regular season is not likely at this time. Dallas opens its season Sept. 8 against the Giants.
"Our goal is to get deals done," executive vice president Stephen Jones said on 105.3 The Fan earlier this week. "Our problem is we have a distribution dilemma. It's our job to manage the (salary) cap, and we're trying to divide the pie."
Other offensive stars including quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver Amari Cooper are in the final year of their rookie contracts, which has caused talks to shift from focusing on Elliott.
"The money's going out the door, it just depends on who gets what," Stephen Jones said.