The Dallas Cowboys have finished with a 12-5 record in both of the last two seasons, but they have come up very short in the playoffs.
In the hopes of recapturing their glory from decades ago, they made some significant changes this offseason, letting go of star running back Ezekiel Elliott while adding wide receiver Brandin Cooks and cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Those two additions created excitement among Cowboys fans, but Tony Pollard, their new stalwart at running back, will likely not receive a new contract by the July 17 deadline.
The #Cowboys and RB Tony Pollard, barring a late change, are not expected to reach a deal by Monday’s 4 p.m. franchise tag deadline, per sources.
Pollard – the No. 9 running back according to our execs/coaches/scouts poll – is due $10.1M on a tag he signed in March. pic.twitter.com/lpW09ndxMe
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 16, 2023
Pollard is currently under Dallas’ franchise tag, and if he doesn’t come to terms with the team on a new contract in time, he will become a free agent after the conclusion of this season.
While Elliott has started to show a decline in his production and efficiency, Pollard blossomed in 2022 by running for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 371 yards and three touchdowns in the air.
That production earned him his first trip to the Pro Bowl.
The market for running backs has declined greatly in recent years as teams are throwing the football more and more while valuing tailbacks less and less.
It has perhaps led to players such as Dalvin Cook, who has made the Pro Bowl four consecutive seasons, being let go.
Still, if the Cowboys were to lose Pollard next offseason, it would be a sizable blow to their Super Bowl hopes, as they ranked sixth in rushing attempts last year.
They haven’t won it all since the 1995 season, and they haven’t even been to the NFC Championship Game since then.
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