Cowboys, Tony Pollard not expected to reach deal by franchise tag deadline

It sounds like Tony Pollard will be playing the 2023 NFL season on the franchise tag. A report indicates that, unless something drastic changes, the running back and the Dallas Cowboys will not reach a contract deal by Monday’s deadline at 4 p.m.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on the news on Sunday. Pollard will receive $10.1 million on the franchise tag he signed in March.

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

It’s not necessarily a position Pollard dreads heading into the 2023 season. Just last month, Fowler said the running back felt “comfortable” about his contract situation, calling it a “win-win.”

“I’m told that Tony Pollard is really comfortable with his situation, considers himself in a win-win because he’s signed that $10.1 million franchise tag, which guarantees him the money,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “A nice insurance coming off ankle surgery this offseason, but he’s also open to extension talks and Dallas could intensify those talks leading closer to that July 17 deadline.

“Remember, they have a lot of players that they could extend; CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs, maybe Dak Prescott down the road, so if they reworked Pollard’s $10 million number, that could lessen his cap hit a bit. So, either way, Pollard is comfortable. He will be the lead back for Dallas next year regardless.”

The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pollard in the spring and released longtime ball carrier Ezekiel Elliott. Pollard picked up the slack in a big way for the Cowboys when Elliott went down with injury.

Pollard totaled 1,007 rushing yards and added 371 receiving yards to his total production in 2022. He also accounted for 12 total touchdowns for the Cowboys. All of those numbers were career-highs for the back.

Pollard will spend his first five seasons in the NFL with Dallas. Over time, he’s proven to be a reliable player out of the backfield but was never tasked with taking the lead role at running back, primarily because of Zeke.

For the first time in his career, Pollard enters the season as the primary ball carrier for Dallas. It’s a lot of responsibility, but he’s proven to be capable of fitting into that role. A big season on the ground could result in a significant contract deal before the 2024 season.

In total, Pollard has racked up 2,616 rushing and 1,008 receiving yards. He’s reached the end zone 22 times in a Cowboys uniform.