Cowboys to Cut Ezekiel Elliott After Contract 'Ultimatum,' Claim Insiders

The Dallas Cowboys may be about to "rip off the Band-Aid' when it comes to a massive decision on Ezekiel Elliott's future.

FRISCO - "Rip off the Band-Aid.''

In terms of how to deal with the coming end of the "Ezekiel Elliott Era,'' that's how our Mike Fisher terms the possibility of coming to a hard conclusion: Take the unavoidable dead cap hit of $11.8 million and deal with the inevitable by not even bothering to attempt to retain the two-time rushing champ, who turns 28 in July, under the terms of a cheaper, re-done contract.

That latter scenario can still be in play, as it's long been considered a viable option. And Zeke himself, "no crystal ball'' aside, has suggested that he wants to remain at The Star - surely knowing that there is no way he'll do that under his existing deal, which counts $18 million against the 2023 cap.

According to Heavy Sports NFL insider Matt Lombardo, the Cowboys could stick with that plan, as he reports they are are on the verge of asking Elliott to take a “massive” pay cut via an "ultimatum.''

Does Dallas need both Zeke (under whatever contract) and Tony Pollard (who might this week get tagged at $10 million)? What if the Cowboys completely turn the page and roll with a new group, using affordable free agency, the draft and existing third-stringer Malik Davis?

Bryan Broaddus, the former Cowboys scout now in media, has suggested the Cowboys' plan is to retain Pollard (which also jibes with Fisher reporting that the 25-year-old running back is the team's top priority free agent). 

But Broaddus reportedly also stated in regard to Elliott: "I have a feeling they're going to just straight move on from him, like they did Dez Bryant.''

And that would constitute something more than an "ultimatum.'' That would be "ripping off the Band-Aid.''

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