Jerry Jones plays "Zeke's under contract" card – ProFootballTalk

It's popular in some circles when a contract player simply wants to complain that the player has to honor his contract. The Cowboys, along with all other unsuccessful strategies to date, seem to be moving in this direction with offensive midfielder Ezekiel Elliott, who is engaged until 2020.

"I'm optimistic that we can have an agreement with Zeke," said owner Jerry Jones after Saturday's pre-season game. "I do not know. I do not know. But of course, I do not want to be mundane, but the idea is to get everyone on contract, that's what we're trying to do here. Zeke is under contract. "

Yes, Zeke is under contract. Which is a cautious way not to piss off for a second straight Saturday to say he has to honor the contract.

But this is the point that is always forgotten when someone says that a contracted player must abide by this contract: he has rights and responsibilities under two different contracts. And all that is in his personal contract with the team is subject to the broader contract between the NFL and the NFL Players Association.

This contract gives Elliott, as well as all other players under the league's contract, the absolute right not to attend training camp, the disadvantage being potential daily fines of $ 40,000. If a player is willing to take the risk of having to pay these amounts to stay out of the way (in most cases, the team does not insist that the payment be paid), he or she can then launch what essentially equates to a typing of a man.

And if the NFL wanted the rights of the teams to be strengthened in this regard, it could strengthen those conditions at the bargaining table. In the end, the NFL could create a system that prevents the player from holding on.

Of course, the NFL should convince the NFLPA to accept this change. And why would the NFLPA do that? Under the current rules, the player "under contract" can exert pressure by suspending his services. It is a powerful weapon for all players, although it usually only works for the best.

Zeke is one of the best. And yes, Zeke is under contract. But he has the full right to refuse to work until he obtains a contract superior to that for which he had no choice but to accept it when it was written, because the conditions are determined in advance on a niche and, for the fifth year, the position played. He is now eligible for another contract and, under the Terrorism Convention, he can stay out of the way in an attempt to obtain it.

Try to make Zeke or any other "under contract" player look bad for exercising his right to hold on, the CBA grants this right, clearly and unequivocally.