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There’s some tension in Dallas between Ezekiel Elliott and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones that could bring big changes not only for the Cowboys’ season but for Elliott’s career as weell.
Earlier this week, Jones made a joke about not missing Ezekiel Elliott, who is currently sitting out while negotiating a new contract, after Cowboys rookie running back Tony Pollard put up a solid game against the Rams in the preseason
“Zeke who?” — Jerry Jones, Contract Negotiations 101 pic.twitter.com/FkcM9f3X6G
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) August 19, 2019
The joke apparently annoyed Elliott because his agent put out a statement saying that the team’s franchise running back was “disrespected” by jones’ joke.
It drew a few laughs but neither @EzekielElliott nor agent Rocky Arceneaux found @Cowboys Jerry Jones' quip "Zeke who?" as amusing. Arceneaux: "I didn't think it was funny and neither did Zeke – we actually thought it was disrespectful."
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) August 19, 2019
A very serious Jones immediately fired back at Zeke’s by proclaiming that he had “earned the right” to joke with him after everything they’ve gone through together.
Jerry Jones was very serious when asked about the backlash from his “Zeke who?” joke: “I’ve earned the right to joke with Zeke. Let me be real clear about that. I’ve earned the right to joke with Zeke.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 20, 2019
Jerry Jones responds to backlash from Ezekiel Elliott's agent, who called his 'Zeke who?' joke 'disrespectful'.
"I've earned the right, with Zeke, to joke. Period." pic.twitter.com/Q8MD13vbqJ
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) August 20, 2019
FS1 host Colin Cowherd believes things have gotten personal between the two and that Zeke’s career could be in jeopardy because Jones could refuse to pay him out of spite.
“Ezekiel Elliott’s career could be over… Jerry Jones doesn’t have to pay him, it is now personal.”@ColinCowherd reacts to Jaylon Smith getting paid by the Cowboys — and not Zeke. pic.twitter.com/rPgcizjstE
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) August 21, 2019
Jerry Jones drafts Zeke. Zeke gets in trouble, immediately. Jerry goes to the wall for him. The fans bail on him. Media people like me bail on him. The NFL bails on him. The commissioner bails on him. And Jerry goes to the wall for him. You pay him back going to Mexico and two years out holding out. You don’t think Jerry’s justified with a little bit of his anger?
If I defended you — your mom wouldn’t, your dad wouldn’t, your job wouldn’t, your boss wouldn’t, your industry wouldnt — and I defended you, and I tried to get your boss fired, don’t you owe me a solid? Just a little solid?
I don’t always take the owner’s side, but in this instance, Jerry defended Zeke to the core. And make no bones about this: Jerry has all the leverage. Jerry just doesn’t have to pay Zeke for two years, then he can franchise him. Zeke’s career could be over. He doesn’t have to pay him. Doesn’t have to pay him.”
I think Elliott will eventually get paid but not as much as he thinks he’s going to get. We’ll have to wait and see how everything plays out.