Todd Gurley’s reign as the highest-paid running back in NFL history lasted just one year. On Wednesday morning, the Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott agreed to a six-year extension worth $90 million. Elliott’s new deal makes him the richest running back ever and earned a whopping $50 million guaranteed.
Gurley’s contract set the baseline for Elliott and the Cowboys, likely playing a role in the running back’s holdout. He wanted to eclipse Gurley’s deal and become the highest-paid player at his position, which the Cowboys were reluctant to do – until now, of course.
For a while it looked like Gurley would remain the richest running back after Le’Veon Bell’s contract with the Jets came in below Gurley’s. Elliott was always the biggest threat to Gurley’s place at the top, and it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that he surpassed the contract the Rams gave their running back.
Gurley and Elliott have been two of the best running backs in the NFL the last two years. Elliott led the league in rushing last season and was tops in rushing yards per game in 2017 when he missed six games, while Gurley was No. 1 in total touchdowns the last two years. Gurley also led the NFL in yards from scrimmage in 2017.
Elliott’s contract will likely remain the largest of any running back for a little while – until Saquon Barkley, Alvin Kamara or Christian McCaffrey potentially top it. Barkley has to wait longer than the other two, but he’s quickly ascended into the top tier of NFL backs.
