Dallas Cowboys: Franchise tag on Tony Pollard gives team options

DALLAS — One of the landmark dates of the NFL offseason has come and long gone, and the Dallas Cowboys as soon as once more took section in it. Monday marked the closing date to use the franchise tag to a participant to retain their products and services, and for the 6th instantly yr, the Cowboys felt the wish to use the tag. 

This yr, working again Tony Pollard joins defensive finish DeMarcus Lawrence, quarterback Dak Prescott, and tight finish Dalton Schultz within the not too long ago tagged membership. Of the 3 prior to now tagged, most effective Schutlz has but to sooner or later obtain a long-term deal. 

By getting franchised, the game-breaking RB will earn $10.1 million in 2023 if a long-term deal isn’t labored out. 

Pollard joins fellow RBs Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants, and Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders in getting tagged. All 3 had remarkable seasons however couldn’t determine an extension sooner than the closing date to be tagged or be allowed to check loose company.

For the Cowboys, the verdict to tag Pollard couldn’t had been simple. Paying Pollard over $10 million after they’re already paying backfield mate Ezekiel Elliott with reference to $11 million – and $16.7 towards the cap – isn’t good industry. However, with the team prone to ask Elliott to take a pay lower or obtain his strolling papers, Dallas had to make certain that they saved one among their key offensive guns within the fold.

Tagging Pollard guarantees that the Cowboys stay an elite RB on the roster, one thing the group likes to have, whilst giving all sides time to determine an extended deal to cut back his price in 2023. With the team up towards the wage cap, releasing up area is paramount to permit the Cowboys to make enhancements to a team in the hunt for to recover from the hump within the playoffs. 

With Dallas the use of their franchise tag for Pollard, the team selected to not use it on Schultz for a 2nd consecutive yr or protection Donovan Wilson. Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch was once additionally a candidate, however the price related to tagging his place didn’t make him a sound possibility. The Cowboys will attempt to determine offers with all 3, however loose company awaits within the coming weeks.

Ultimately, conserving Pollard is a forged use of one of the vital league’s implementations to assist groups steer clear of shedding their superstar gamers, because the Cowboys don’t have many explosive gamers on offense. The speedster out of Memphis has indubitably been one of the vital major threats over the previous few seasons. 

In 2022, Pollard scored on 5 performs of 30-yards or extra, so it’s comprehensible why the team sought after to make certain that he didn’t go away for some other team. In go back for Pollard now not having the ability to make that selection in loose company himself, he’s going to receives a commission best buck amongst his friends at working again.

At 26-years outdated when the 2023 season starts, Pollard may be nonetheless within the high of his occupation and coming off his very best season. Pollard had his first 1,000-yard season, in addition to 12 general ratings blended on the bottom and throughout the air. The former fourth spherical select has averaged 5.1 yards in keeping with raise in his 4 years, which ranks among the finest within the league. The Cowboys obviously sought after to stay that form of manufacturing round for no less than another yr.

However, there’s chance in tagging Pollard at this type of excessive price. The damaged left leg that he suffered within the playoff loss in San Francisco most effective complements the gamble. Pollard is anticipated to go back to complete well being in a couple of months, nevertheless it was once a significant harm and there’s no solution to know needless to say how his explosiveness could be impacted. 

Also, it is very important remember the fact that the approaching draft is stuffed with high-level ability who would come at a fragment of the price, and at a more youthful age. Using such a lot in their cap bucks to stay Pollard when they might have adequately changed him within the draft was once a trail that Dallas definitely mulled over.

Nevertheless, the Cowboys seemed on the RB panorama this offseason and feature get a hold of a plan. That technique integrated tagging Pollard and holding a participant that they know could make a large affect of their offensive machine. Dallas sought after to stay Pollard, and this was once the most secure manner of doing so.

There continues to be paintings to be completed and selections to be made on the place, however Tony Pollard is returning for no less than another season. The determination buys the Cowboys time to seek out his eventual substitute or determine an extended deal. 

Either manner, the Cowboys are holding one among their very best offensive gamers for 2023.

Do you suppose the Cowboys must determine a long-term deal for Tony Pollard? Share your ideas with Ben on Twitter @BenGrimaldi.