Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott 'close' to new deal; Dallas contemplating roster move

Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott 'close' to new deal; Dallas contemplating roster move

FRISCO - We are on the lip of the cup of an Ezekiel Elliott return to the Dallas Cowboys.

Charles Robinson of Yahoo notes on Sunday morning that Dallas is "close to completing a contract extension with running back Ezekiel Elliott,'' adding that he's "reporting this. Not speculating.''

The #Cowboys are close to completing a contract extension with running back Ezekiel Elliott. I’m reporting this. Not speculating it.

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) September 1, 2019

This jives with what we've been saying in this space since Tuesday, with the acceleration on the possibility of Elliott agreeing to the Cowboys' recent "Gurley-like'' offer pushing us to suggest that Zeke might be in uniform in time for Monday's 10:45 a.m. practice here inside The Star as Dallas prepares for its Week 1 game against the New York Giants.

Re ‘new’ #Cowboys & #EzekielElliott contract Reports? @Shippyfunsports and I and @1053thefan stand by our original report from 4 days ago. https://t.co/W6uW8rBkK6 pic.twitter.com/qPXoId9PcW

— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) August 31, 2019

How close is Elliott to a contract extension in the minds of the Cowboys? Close enough that here inside the building, team officials are weighing which roster move to make to accompany the signing.

There has been speculation that Zeke in would mean fellow running back Alfred Morris out. If that ever was the plan, I believe it's been dumped now that Jordan Chunn is dinged up. Morris is here to stay, I think.

No, there is a reason Dallas as it made its cuts went heavy in the offensive line, to the tune of 11 guys. And that reason is because one (or more) of them is destined to be gone when Zeke shows up.

There exist three possibilities:

1) Dallas can move Connor McGovern to IR. As we reported last Tuesday, the prized rookie suffered a setback in his pec rehab.

He can't help the club now. But doing his transaction this way allows him to return during the season. IR makes sense.

2) Brandon Knight made the 53. That constituted a surprise; he's the fourth tackle. But maybe not for long.

3) Adam Redmond has position flex, so he has some value. But I'm told that he's the guy other teams were calling about in trade talks. Would Dallas rather have Redmond or, say, a seventh-round pick? If Zeke shows up any time soon, maybe the Cowboys put Redmond back on the trade block, and there's your opening.

And assuming Zeke is back soon? There is your NFC East title contender, re-assembled.