Odds of Ezekiel Elliott Playing Week 1 Set at -500 After RB & Cowboys Approach New Deal

• Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has been holding out all preseason in hopes of a new contract.
• Elliott led the NFL with 1434 rushing yards in 2018.
• Most reporters are indicating that the Cowboys and Elliott are on the cusp on a new deal.

Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott has been holding out in hopes of a new contract. He’s missed all of training camp and the preseason.

However, it looks like the Cowboys want him back and the two sides are approaching a deal. As time is ticking, the question is will he play in Week 1?

Will Ezekiel Elliott Play In Week 1?

*Odds taken at 09/03/19

Cowboys And Elliott Are Getting Close…Again

The Cowboys and Elliott have been going back and forth in the media as they try to get a deal done.

The latest report comes from Pro Football Talk, which suggests that Elliott and the Cowboys are closing in on a six-year, $90 million contract extension. If so, Elliott would be tied to the team through 2026.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ed Werder also reported on Tuesday afternoon that Elliott and his agent were flying back to Dallas from Cabo where he has been training for the upcoming season

Agent Rocky Arceneaux is traveling with running back Ezekiel Elliott from Cabo to Dallas, per @WerderEdESPN. A source said an agreement between the team and the 2-time NFL rushing champion is “Very close.”

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 3, 2019

Talks have broken down in the past, but it seems like now that we’re hearing about the parameters and financial details of the deal that it could be finished as soon as today.

Both Sides Want To Get It Done

Unlike the Melvin Gordon situation with the Los Angeles Chargers, it looks the Cowboys and Elliott want to get this deal done. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is known as someone who pays and overpays his players; the Chargers have a number in mind for Gordon and they’re going to stick to it no matter what.

Seeing Cowboys hold out is rare. Tony Pollard could surely be capable in absence of Elliott but they know that this team has Super Bowl aspirations – they don’t want to mess with that.

What’s The Best Bet?

Elliott has been favored to show up for Week 1 for a longtime. All of the latest reports suggest that the two sides are on the cusp of a deal, so it shouldn’t be a surprise when pen is put to paper.

Cowboys, Ezekiel Elliott close in on a six-year, $90 million extension that would tie him to the team through 2026 https://t.co/EeOVZwFPSN

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 3, 2019

However, it is interesting to note that Elliott’s participation in Week 1 (or lack thereof) has had zero impact on the Week 1 betting line. The Cowboys opened as a seven-point favorite for their game against Washington, and that’s where they continue to stand. His return or absence doesn’t seem to impact the line.

At any rate, where there is smoke, there tends to be fire. When both sides were negative and taking small barbs at each other, it seemed like Elliott could genuinely miss Week 1, but with the newest details on the Elliott camp’s return to Dallas and financial terms being reported, look for Zeke to be signed for opening weekend.