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Dallas Cowboys place pending free agent Tony Pollard on 2023 franchise tag

Nikki Chavanelleby:Nikki Chavanelle•03/06/23•

NikkiChavanelle

Tracking Dallas Cowboys 2023 free agency offseason moves Tony Pollard Ezekiel Elliott Stephon Gilmore Brandin Cooks
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The Dallas Cowboys‘ leading rusher in 2022 is returning for another season. Tony Pollard is being put on the franchise tag ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, according to Adam Schefter. The two parties still have until late into the summer to work out a potential long-term deal.

The former Memphis standout was a prime candidate to receive a franchise tag this offseason. To franchise tag Pollard, the Cowboys have to pay $10.09 million for 2023. By comparison, to franchise tag tight end Dalton Schultz for a second season, Dallas would have owed $13.1 million.

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.

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

In four seasons for the Cowboys, Pollard has 2,616 rushing yards, 1,007 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns.

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

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2023 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially run out, making those players free agents.

Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. Beginning March 13 through March 15 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 26, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits.

There are 722 players slated to become free agents in 2023, including 20 unrestricted free agents for Dallas.