NFL Free Agency: Dalton Schultz signs one-year, $9 million deal with Houston Texans

The Houston Texans have reached an agreement with tight end Dalton Schultz to bring the pass-catcher to Houston. Schultz is signing a one-year deal worth up to $9 million, according to Tom Pelissero.

He was a potential candidate to receive a franchise tag, which would have cost $13.1 million. However, Dallas ended up placing the tag on Tony Pollard, who is now the team’s starting running back.

The former Stanford standout hoped to sign a long-term deal ahead of the 2022 season but ultimately, the two parties could not work it out. Schultz played the year with a franchise tag. His salary for 2022 was $10.93 million.

Playing on the tag, the 6-foot-5, 244-pound tight end finished the season in second in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

Schultz enters his sixth NFL season in 2023. He spent the first five with the Cowboys after they nabbed him in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has totaled 198 catches, 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns over the past three regular 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 again in the playoffs. Schultz ended the postseason with 12 catches, 122 yards, and three touchdowns in two games.

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.