Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott not on board with reduced workload

Dallas Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown said they plan to reduce Ezekiel Elliott’s workload and the running back was not on board with that.

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott isn’t too happy about the possibility of him being pulled off the field more often in 2019, something running backs coach Gary Brown mentioned last week. Elliott is an All-Pro running back, so it makes sense that he would want to stay on the field more often than not.

However, he is extremely valuable to the Cowboys and it looks like the coaching staff is going to try to protect their star running back. In the past couple of years, Elliott has been the reason the Cowboys offense has had success — and he knows that. Elliott touched the ball on over 35 percent of the Cowboys’ play in 2018, so his importance to the Cowboys offense is not understated.

Brown said last week that Elliott would eventually slow down if he continued to take on his current workload. Elliott didn’t like those comments, and in response at the Cowboys’ annual charity fundraiser on Wednesday, he said “I haven’t worn down yet”:

But it doesn’t look like he will have much say in the number of carries he will get in 2019 with the Cowboys drafting Tony Pollard from Memphis and Mike Weber from Ohio State.

Of course, the Cowboys want to give Elliott the opportunity to continue his high rushing numbers throughout the season, even if that means he gets slightly fewer carries per game. He will likely continue to be the third-down back and assuming most starting running back duties.

Where things will most likely change is when Elliott is not the main focus on a specific play. For example, pulling Elliott out from some pass plays and allowing Pollard to take on some of those blocks would be a smart way to limit Elliott’s snaps while not affecting his production greatly.

Elliott will be with the Cowboys at least until 2020, which is when his contract ends. When asked about Elliott’s future with the price Dak Prescott is rumored to command, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said (h/t Blogging the Boys):

"“(Elliott) is a guy we want to have here long term … he’s not at the front (of the extension order) because he’s got all year, then he’s got another year to tender. But Zeke’s every bit as important.” Elliott isn’t too worried about his extension either right now. He said he needs to “do what I’ve been doing; go out there and play football.”"

Ultimately, Elliott may have to lower his snap count regardless of what he wants. Subsequently, this will be interesting to watch when the season kicks off as the Cowboys try to balance preserving Elliott and keeping him happy.