Ezekiel Elliott's new contract with Cowboys includes $1 million in incentives

The Dallas Cowboys inked Ezekiel Elliott to a new one-year contract this week, which was reportedly worth up to $3 million. The contract is loaded with incentives, however, ESPN’s Todd Archer revealed on Wednesday.

While Elliott can earn $3 million maximum in 2024, his base salary is $1.25 million, which is fully guaranteed. He also has a $375,000 signing bonus and a $375,000 active roster bonus. That leaves a million dollars in bonus incentives.

To reach $3 million, Elliott and the Cowboys must reach the playoffs, first and foremost. After that, he can boost his pay in each of three ways – post 1,100 scrimmage yards ($250,000), score 10 touchdowns ($250,000), and/or play 51% of offensive snaps ($500,000).

The Cowboys may have included the incentives knowing that even if they make the postseason, it’s still highly unlikely the former first-rounder hits those high marks.

After moving into the starting role in the last five games of the 2023 season, Elliott had 642 rushing yards with three touchdowns. Then another 313 yards receiving and two more scores. He fell shy of the 1,000 all-purpose yard mark, and had just five total scores. The last time the Cowboys running back had over 1,100 yards was in 2021 for Dallas, also the last time he was the featured back. The running back they let walk – Tony Pollard – ended up signing a three-year deal for $21 million.

For last season, the Patriots paid Elliott $3 million, plus a $1 million signing bonus. In total, his New England contract had the incentives to pay him up to $6 million. He had an incentive for an extra $300,000 to pass 975 yards, though he ended up with 955. He also got an additional $50,000 per game that he was on the active roster, which was all 17.

Elliott intent on leading Cowboys to Super Bowl

In an exclusive with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram this week, Ezekiel Elliott opened up about his return to the Dallas Cowboys after his release from the team last spring. Though some critics, like Skip Bayless, have called the team’s decision a “PR move,” Elliott has clear intentions for his second opportunity with Dallas.

The former first-round draft pick landed in New England following his release from the Cowboys, and there, he did what he felt he needed to have a shot back on Mike McCarthy’s roster.

“This was my priority,” Elliott said at the Eric Dickerson Charity Golf Tournament. “Doing what I could do to get back here. I have a lot left to accomplish here. I’m excited to get back with the fellas and chase that ring.”

The Cowboys have quite a few running backs on the roster now, but none in an incumbent position to start. Jerry Jones told reporters he believes Elliott can still be a starter, and the running back has high hopes for the team in 2024.

“From 2016, we’ve been working on building this franchise to get a chance to win the Super Bowl,” Elliott said. “That is obviously the priority. That’s the bar.”