Did the Dallas Cowboys overpay for Ezekiel Elliott?

The Dallas Cowboys made the decision to pay Ezekiel Elliott 90 million dollars over 6 years making him the highest paid running back in the history of the NFL.

The Dallas Cowboys helped the former Ohio State running back end his hold out when they reached an agreement on the richest contract in NFL history for a running back. Elliott’s new deal is actually an extension rather than a restructure, meaning he is under contract with the Cowboys through the 2026 season.  The average annual value for his contract is 15 million dollars a year which surpasses the 14.375 million that Todd Gurley landed. Add in the fact that Gurley landed 45 million in guaranteed money to Zeke’s 50 million guaranteed, which pushes his contract to the highest ever.

Many will justify that Zeke Elliott is the best player in the league at his position and it a true statement. He led the league in rushing two of the last three years. The only other running back to lead the NFL in rushing two years in the past ten was Adrian Peterson.

Peterson, however was the highest paid back at his position both the years he lead the league. In 2015, the Vikings paid Peterson 11 million dollars.  Zeke is now the highest paid back in the NFL and the biggest question is going to be will he continue to lead the league in rushing after getting his big pay day.

I honestly feel that running backs are a dime a dozen, and to pay a running back 15 million a season is insane.  There are so many good young running backs on the up and up that can be drafted I do not see the purpose of paying a back that much.  The Cowboys do rely on Zeke though. Zeke will need to really blow up for me to see how it is justified, but until that happens, the Cowboys paid too much money.  What do you think?