The Cowboys are riding high off their recent three game winning streak, but they’ll have to get serious soon. While head coach Jason Garret’s future with the team has been discussed endlessly, they have some personnel decisions to make that have flown mostly under the radar. The Cowboys have a bunch of young players, and will need to make some tough decisions soon, writes Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com.
The Cowboys have a bunch of players who will need to either be extended or let go in the near future, including Dak Prescott, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Ezekiel Elliott. All three will be looking for a ton of guaranteed money, and they might not be able to keep everybody. While owner Jerry Jones has said repeatedly the team plans on extending Prescott, Florio notes that Jones hasn’t “said much if anything about Elliott getting a new deal.” Florio writes that “it’s possible that the Cowboys won’t ever make a major financial commitment to Elliott”, and points to how they handled the DeMarco Murray situation a few years ago as evidence they might not value running backs that highly. It hasn’t been talked about much, but it’s a very interesting perspective and it definitely seems possible Elliott doesn’t get locked up longterm in Dallas.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Panthers receiver Devin Funchess is set to be a free agent after this season, and it’s up in the air about what type of contract he might land. Former NFL agent and current CBS Sports Analyst Joel Corry thinks Funchess will get somewhere between what Marqise Lee and Stefon Diggs got on the open market, according to Joseph Person of The Athletic. Corry thinks Funchess is a “1.5” type of receiver, better than a number two receiver, but not quite good enough to be a top option. Funchess’ free agency will be one of the most interesting in a pretty weak free agent class.
- The Jets’ offensive line could end up looking a lot different next year. In order to free up salary cap space, it’s possible the Jets cut all three of Kelvin Beachum, Spencer Long and Brian Winters, according to Matt Stypulkoski of NJ.com. The Jets already have a lot of salary cap space, but Stypulkoski thinks all three aren’t worth their salaries next year, and that the Jets will be looking to totally revamp their offensive line and better set up Sam Darnold for the future.
- In case you missed it, the Jets are discussing an extension with receiver Quincy Enunwa.
Id pay zeke top money for 2 or 3 years max.
Welcome to the Le’Veon problem
Reuben Foster just arrested for domestic violence. Get on the phone, Jerry.
Running backs have a shorter “shelf life” than do mediocre quarterbacks.
Adrian Peterson and Frank Gore might argue that and they are probably a better value than someone who will be overpaid to walk around with a clipboard.
Those two are of rare breed my friend.
My comment was directed more toward Dak not being as good as everyone says he is than Elliott or older running backs… I would let Dak walk and sign Elliott for his prime years.
Counting the franchise tag, Elliott is two and a half years into potentially 6 years of team control. If you’re going to say the Cowboys needs to sign an extension or let him go soon, you could say that about damn near the whole NFL.
If the Cowboys don’t value running backs very highly, then it wouldn’t make any sense to draft one 4th overall. While it’s very possible that the Cowboys might just be that stupid, I’d imagine that report doesn’t have much to it.
Funchess is gone from Carolina. Unless willing to take less on a shorter deal. Players though won’t do that. No loyalty to teams or franchises anymore.
Anyone think Clowney going to be a free agent? Or sign franchise tag? I’d like to see Carolina spend money on DE. Clowney needs to be in a 4-3. So thanks Funchess it was fun while it lasted…