Ezekiel Elliott is returning to the Dallas Cowboys in time for the start of the NFL season, and he's doing so as the league's highest-paid running back.
The former Ohio State star has agreed to a six-year, $90 million contract extension that includes $50 million in guaranteed money, making him the league's new top-paid running back, the Cowboys confirmed after multiple reports on Wednesday morning.
Done deal @EzekielElliott signs 6-year contract extension.
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 4, 2019
https://t.co/CBPKRXR0N8 pic.twitter.com/TEKB0d0Bp5
Elliott is now entering his fourth season in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, who he is now under contract with through the 2026 season. His contract surpasses the deal signed by Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley last summer, which he became the league's highest-paid running back at the time with a four-year, $57.5 million contract extension that included $45 million guaranteed.
https://t.co/lc0vyiHIPq pic.twitter.com/BnQknKkH3C
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) September 4, 2019
In his first three seasons with the Cowboys, Elliott has already rushed for 4,048 yards and 28 touchdowns on 868 carries and added 135 catches for 1,199 yards and six touchdowns. He was the NFL's leading rusher in both 2016 (1,631 yards) and 2018 (1,434 yards).
His new contract comes just over one month after former Ohio State teammate Michael Thomas, who is also entering his fourth season in the league, became the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver with a five-year, $100 million contract extension.
Elliott is expected to return to practice and officially join the Cowboys' 53-man roster on Wednesday, which means there will be 44 former Ohio State players on NFL active rosters to begin the season. The Cowboys begin their regular season on Sunday at 4:25 p.m., when they will open their 2019 campaign against the New York Giants.
