Report: Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz skipping OTAs, 'frustrated' with contract

Dalton Schultz isn’t a happy camper in Dallas.

While the Cowboys tight end signed the franchise tag tender, Schultz believed it would lead to a long-term contract right out of the gate. However, that hasn’t been the case, and now he’s making his frustration known.

“Frustrated by the state of contract talks, #Cowboys franchise-tagged TE Dalton Schultz informed the team he won’t attend the rest of voluntary OTAs, per sources,” tweeted Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. “Schultz already signed his franchise tender, locking in a $10.931 million salary for 2022 if no deal by July 15.”

After signing the tender, Schultz — who made it clear he wanted to stay in Dallas — stated that he believed the franchise tag was a good starting point. Evidently, things haven’t progressed in a way that the former Stanford tight end prefers.

“I think it’s a good start,” Schultz said earlier in the offseason, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “Obviously this is the place I want to be. I love being here. I love this organization. I want to work out a long-term deal and I think they do too. I hope we can get that done.”

Schultz enters his fifth NFL season in 2022, all with the Cowboys. The former fourth-round pick has totaled 141 catches, 1,423 yards and eight touchdowns over the past two seasons after making only 13 catches over his first two. Dallas finished the regular season with a 12-5 record but ultimately lost to San Francisco in the wild card round of the playoffs. Schultz finished with seven catches for 89 yards in that loss.

Dalton Schultz wants to get a long-term deal done with the Cowboys. Time will tell if Dallas shares the same motivation, and if the two sides can come to an agreement.

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Dallas was reportedly debating between placing the tag on Schultz or defensive end Randy Gregory. Placing the tag on Gregory would have cost the Cowboys $17.9 million next season. Gregory broke out this season as an edge rusher, having six sacks, four tackles for a loss, and 17 quarterback hits. Alongside DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons, Gregory was a part of a revamped pass rush under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

The Cowboys made a number of moves this offseason, and their receiving corps now looks much different. Dallas traded away four-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns, while also signing former Pittsburgh receiving James Washington in free agency. They also have Michael Gallup set to return from a torn ACL.

With the loss of Cooper, perhaps Schultz can build upon his career year from 2021 that saw him post 808 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He also ranked second on the team with 78 receptions and third in the league among tight end in receptions, yards and touchdowns.

On3’s Nikki Chavanelle and Chandler Vessels contributed to this article.