Cowboys Cuts: Are Ezekiel Elliott & Tyron Smith Done in Dallas?

It's being suggested that Cowboys could move on from two all-timers in the same offseason. Are Ezekiel Elliott and Tyron Smith done in Dallas?

FRISCO - They are both symbols of an era, a two-time NFL rushing champ and an all-time Hall-of-Fame-bound lineman.

Might the era - not only for Ezekiel Elliott but also for Tyron Smith - be over?

That's the concept proposed by The Dallas Morning News, a scenario in which the Cowboys cut both running back Elliott and offensive tackle Smith during this upcoming offseason.

There is money involved, for certain.

Is there also a decline in performance involved?

Elliott's coming cap hit is $16.7 million; it has already been established that Dallas is planning on moving on from that contract, if not that player. The Cowboys are prepared to take the $11 million dead-money punishment that comes with a move - again, whether he's on the team or not.

A driving force: Even though COO Stephen Jones recently claimed that he sees no decline in Zeke's game, the Cowboys know the truth. And they also know what happens to heavy-lifting running backs as they approach their late 20's.

Zeke as the featured back in 2023 is absolutely not the plan.

But why does Tyron get lumped into this? 

He's actually in a different situation in both the categories of finance and performance.

Smith is due to have a cap hit of $17.6 million, but with a reported $9 million in cap savings if he's released. He's 32 and has his injury issues, but still plays at a high level.

The Cowboys believe Tyron (maybe with a contract re-do?) wants to return. And we know Zeke does, saying, "I don’t have a crystal ball, can’t you tell the future. But I definitely want to be here.''

There are ways to make those things happen. But soon, Zeke and Tyron are coming to an end. And so will a symbolic era of Cowboys football.

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