Dallas Cowboys

Understanding Ezekiel Elliott’s Dallas Cowboys contract and what it means to team’s salary cap

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Ezekiel Elliott

The Ezekiel Elliott era is over in Dallas. Here’s everything you need to know about the former Cowboys running back.

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Why did the Dallas Cowboys releasing running back Ezekiel Elliott on Wednesday?

It’s all about money and timing.

The NFL’s new season begins on March 15. Thus, each team must be under the $224.8 million salary cap.

He signed a six-year, $90 million contract in 2019. There was guaranteed money in the contract for the first three years; there is no guaranteed money in the final three years, beginning in 2023.

Elliott is set to count $16.4 million against the 2023 salary cap with a non guaranteed $10.4 million base salary.

Cutting Elliott saves the Cowboys $4.86 million. If they designate him a post-June 1 cut, they would save $10.9 million.

This story was originally published March 15, 2023 at 9:24 AM.

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David Ammenheuser
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Dave Ammenheuser was a Star-Telegram sports editor. He’s worked in newsrooms all across the country, including overseeing the USA TODAY sports department. He’s covered every sport imaginable, from Little League to the World Series to the Olympics.
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Ezekiel Elliott

The Ezekiel Elliott era is over in Dallas. Here’s everything you need to know about the former Cowboys running back.