The Dallas Cowboys gave one of their young stars a contract extension on Tuesday — but it’s not the player fans had been eagerly hoped it would be.
Dallas gave tackle La’el Collins a five-year extension amid negotiations with running back Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott, the fourth overall pick in 2016, is holding out until he receives a new deal — and is prepared to miss regular season games, if necessary.
Reports indicate Elliott and the Cowboys have traded contract proposals in recent days, but the two sides haven’t been able to come to an agreement.
In what could be a positive sign, Elliott is flying back to Dallas from Mexico as the two sides continue to negotiate.
Can confirm that Ezekiel Elliott is flying back to DFW today. Progress continues toward a deal. Today is a big day.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) September 3, 2019
Collins, meanwhile, will become the NFl’s highest-paid right tackle, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 26-year-old joined the Cowboys in 2015 as an undrafted free agent after he fell out of the draft for being questioned in the murder of his former girlfriend. Police ruled out Collins as a suspect and he has avoided controversy in the NFL.
Per Schefter, the extension creates $5.7 million in extra cap space for this season.
Dallas opens its season Sunday against the New York Giants.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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