Dak Prescott on Dalton Schultz skipping end of OTA's: 'We'll handle it'

The Dallas Cowboys are going through voluntary OTAs without star tight end Dalton Schultz. Although it’s a drawback for the offense to practice without him, starting quarterback Dak Prescott expressed his support for his teammate as he chases a larger deal.

“I went through this process. A lot of people go through this process. I’m confident in that situation,” Prescott said, via Jon Machota. “Me and Schultz talk all the time, so I knew what was happening, the team does. We’ll handle it.”

Last season, Dalton Schultz connected with Dak Prescott for a career-high 78 receptions for 808 yards and eight touchdowns. With Amari Cooper gone, Schultz’s role could be even bigger in 2022.

Schultz holding out for big contract

While the Cowboys tight end signed the franchise tag tender this offseason, Schultz ultimately believed it would lead to a long-term contract before the season. 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 enough for the former Stanford tight end.

“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 … 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.

On3’s Stephen Samra contributed to this report.