Ezekiel Elliott's future with the only organization he's ever known is up in the air this offseason.
But if it were up to the Cowboys, they'd like to have the running back return for the 2023-24 season.
While speaking at the Senior Bowl Wednesday in Mobile, Alabama, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and EVP Stephen Jones were "adamant" that they wanted Elliott to return next season, but reiterated that it "has to work financially" for both sides, Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com reports.
After the Cowboys were eliminated by the 49ers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Elliott expressed a desire to return to the Cowboys next season.
"I've definitely thought about it," Elliott said. "I want to be here. I don't have a crystal ball. Can't predict the future, but definitely want to be here."
Elliott is coming off the worst season of his seven-year career in 2022. In 15 games, he rushed for a career-low 876 yards on 231 carries. He averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry and a career-worst 17 catches for 92 yards.
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Despite taking a backseat to Tony Pollard at times this season, Elliott still managed to punch in 12 touchdowns.
The $10.9 million salary Elliott will earn in 2023 comes with a $16.72 million cap hit, according to Spotrac. But according to the Dallas Morning News, Elliott is willing to restructure his contract and take a pay cut.
Elliott signed a six-year, $90 million contract extension with the Cowboys in 2019. That decision has hampered the organization ever since, and likely resulted in the Cowboys decision to move on from No. 1 wide receiver Amari Cooper before last season.
The Cowboys have an easier path to get out of Elliott's deal this offseason as he doesn't have any guarantees in his contract.
Dallas can designate him as a post-June 1 cut, leaving them with $5.82 million and $6.04 million of dead money on the 2023 and 2024 salary caps. But such a move would come with $10.9 million in short-term savings.
If Dallas were to cut him before June 1, they'd incur $11.86 million of dead-money while saving $4.86 million.
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