Contract details reveal heavy incentives for defensive end Dante Fowler

There was plenty of mutual interest between the Dallas Cowboys and eighth-year defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. to agree on a deal that would keep him with the franchise. That interest then unfolded earlier this week into the deal both sides were hoping for.

Now, the details regarding Fowler’s new contract have been released. Per Todd Archer at ESPN NFL Nation, Fowler’s one-year deal is worth a maximum of $4.25 million with the official cap number coming in at $3 million. However, he can get to that four million dollar threshold depending on his performance in completing several incentives included in the deal.

Dante Fowler contract details: 1 year, $4.25 million max

Bonus: $1 million
Base salary: $1.5 million

Active roster bonus: $500,000 total

Incentives:
$500,000 – eight sacks + playoffs
$500,000 – 10 sacks + playoffs
$250,000 – 55% playtime + playoffs

2023 cap number: $3 million

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) March 23, 2023

Fowler Jr’s active roster bonus sits at $500,000. From there, the incentives are based around his defensive stats, his health, and whether or not Dallas makes the playoffs this upcoming season.

All the incentives involve a postseason stipulation. However, maintaining his availability and playing 55% of the time this season will earn him an additional $250,000. On top of that, eight sacks will earn him $500,000 while two more sacks on top of that will add another additional $500,000.

In his first season as a Cowboy, Fowler played in all 17 games. During that time, he took 343 snaps on defense, which was good for 30% of Dallas’ defensive snaps. He also took four additional snaps on special teams. As far as statistics, Fowler put up 27 total tackles, six sacks, two pass deflections and two forced fumbles,

If Fowler Jr. sees an increased role in 2023, he should be able to knock out some of these incentives and earn himself an even bigger payday. The most important thing to him, though, should be ensuring Dallas makes the playoffs for the third straight season.

Dallas Cowboys RB Tony Pollard signs 2023 franchise tag

The Dallas Cowboys officially inked running back Tony Pollard under the 2023 franchise tag on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. Although the two parties still have until late into the summer to work out a potential long-term deal, Pollard’s signature locks him in for the season. The move comes more than two weeks after the team announced their plans to tag the running back.

The former Memphis standout was a prime candidate to receive a franchise tag this offseason. Now, the Cowboys have to pay him $10.09 million for 2023, making him a top-10 running back in the league in salary.

The Cowboys drafted Pollard with the 26th pick in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year deal for $3.18 million. The 2022 season was his first as the team’s leading rusher, topping Ezekiel Elliott for the first time since he joined the team in 2016.

Pollard posted 1,007 rushing yards on 193 carries in 16 games played. He also caught 39 passes for 371 yards. In total, he finished with 12 scores this season, nine on the ground and three out of the air.

During his four seasons with the Cowboys, Pollard has 2,616 rushing yards, 1,007 rushing yards, and 23 touchdowns.

In Dallas’s playoff loss to the 49ers, Pollard suffered a high-ankle sprain that required offseason surgery and a fibula fracture. However, he is on track to make a return to the field by training camp.