
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 4, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

USA Today via Reuters
Oct 4, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
Ezekiel Elliott had an average season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021. Since then, he has come under heavy fire from analysts and the NFL community. Some analysts believe that the Cowboys should trade Elliott before the season. As per his contract, the running back will earn $18.2 million this year. By trading him now, Dallas can save $12.4 million from the 2022 salary cap, which the Cowboys can roll over to 2023.
Analyst Brent Sobleski believes that his position is devaluing the team with the RB’s current contract and declining production. Moreover, even though Elliott has good numbers in his career, the Cowboys won just one playoff game. They did not even get past the divisional round.
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In the last seasons, the Cowboys’ RB posted decent numbers but has not helped the team get past the playoffs. In 2020, he recorded 52 receives in 15 games by completing 338 receiving yards. Further, in 2021, he completed just 47 receives in 17 games and 287 receiving yards. He scored a total of 16 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Elliott failed to carry his form compared to his productions in earlier seasons.

USA Today via Reuters
Nov 26, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) and Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The 3x Pro-Bowler signed a six-year, $90 million contract extension in 2019. However, his performance is not close to the production from earlier in his career, per Sobleski. During the 2019 season, he rushed for 1,357 yards with 4.5 yards per carrying during the 2019 season. Conversely, his average dropped to 991 rushing yards per season on 4.1 yards per carrying in the last two seasons.
Why are Ezekiel Elliott’s productions not up to the standards of his contract?
The NFL’s highest-paid running back should produce higher numbers than what Ezekiel is producing. On the other hand, his backup, Tony Pollard, has proven more capable. Pollard can break off more significant plays than Elliott on the depth chart.
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While comparing the averages of both QBs, the 25-year-old Pollard averages 5.5 yards per carry. Whereas the starting RB Elliott averages just 4.1 yards per carry.

USA Today via Reuters
Oct 17, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) hands the ball off to running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) during the first half of a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
It would not be the worst thing for the Dallas Cowboys to trade Elliott in the upcoming season. But until then, their only hope is that he steps up his game and makes the Cowboys reach the Super Bowl.
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