Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott not feeling pressure over contract, future with team

OXNARD, Calif. — With no guaranteed money on Ezekiel Elliott's contract beyond 2022, many wonder if this is his last year with the Dallas Cowboys.

Elliott is not one of those wondering.

«I think it is a big season, but I think you can't look too far down the road,» Elliott said. «I think if I focus on every day, if I focus on having a good day of camp, if I focus on taking it week by week, I think everything will handle itself. And I don't think there's really a reason to look that far down the road. I think if I handle my business every day, then I'll be in a pretty good situation at the end of the season.»

Elliott's $12.4 million base salary is fully guaranteed as part of the $90 million extension he signed in 2019. The Cowboys have an easier path financially to move on from him in 2023 because there is no more guaranteed money in his contract. He is set to make $10.9 million in 2023.

Elliott's per-game rushing average has dropped each season, from 108.7 yards per game in 2016, his rookie year, to 58.9 in 2021.

A big reason for the drop last year was a partially torn posterior ligament in his right knee, which he suffered in the fourth game of the season. Elliott was on pace for more than 1,500 yards through the first five games last season with five touchdowns. He topped 69 yards just once in the final 12 games and finished with 1,002 yards on 237 carries and 10 touchdowns.

For more than a month he wore a bulky brace on his knee for added protection as the injury limited his burst.

«It definitely was frustrating and definitely frustrating certain parts of the year, but it's football,» Elliott said. «I think today might be the only day everyone's going to be 100%. From here on out, everyone's going to have a couple