NFL insider provides update on Dalton Schultz's contract situation with Cowboys

Dalton Schultz believes he’s a top-tier tight end in the NFL, and he wants to be paid like one by the Dallas Cowboys.

While Dallas franchise-tagged Schultz, the reliable pass-catcher is seeking a long-term agreement. During an appearance on NFL Total Access, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo provided some insight into Schultz’s situation.

From @NFLTotalAccess: With a week to go for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term deals, we assessed where they stand now. The #Cowboys and TE Dalton Schultz will make another run at it, while the #Dolphins and TE Mike Gesicki haven’t exchanged offers of late. pic.twitter.com/nmhXkgtezX

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 9, 2022

“Dalton Schultz and the Cowboys. Now, these sides have actually already engaged in contract negotiations,” began Garafolo. “I can’t really say that about some of the other folks that we’re going to talk about here. So, I’m just going to project a little bit of optimism here. Now, that’s just me. Because when I talk to folks involved, they say, ‘Yeah, this one’s going to be hard to do.’ You know, the Cowboys like their five-year deals. Schultz would play on the one-year tag at about ten million, but then you got David Njoku at thirteen, and other guys above that. So, Schultz is going to want to be up there.

“I think in the next week, there’s going to be more talks. I’m going to keep open the possibility of a long-term deal for Dalton Schultz here, but we’ll let you know again over the next seven days.”

Continuing, 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.

It’s evident Dalton Schultz doesn’t want to play anywhere else but Dallas in 2022. However, the Cowboys tight end isn’t going to sell himself short when it comes to the financials.

Mike McCarthy ‘not worried’ about Dalton Schultz’s commitment amid contract discussions

Moreover, the outside noise isn’t bothering Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. He believes Dalton Schultz will be the same man on the field when the games begin. “I’m not worried about his commitment or what he’s done,” McCarthy said, according to an article from the Cowboys site.

Schultz “is in great shape,” he continued. “If he was standing here, he would tell you this is the strongest he’s ever been.” The tight end appears to be in world-class shape after posting a career year.

At the end of the day, though, McCarthy isn’t going to let contract talks distract him from aspirations on the football field. “Business is business and I’m in the business of winning football games,” coach declared. “We all have contracts. We all have these types of situations that they come about,” McCarthy said. But he and his team can’t let those situations cloud their ability to perform in practice.

McCarthys knows these disputes are a part of the business. “But I think you have to learn to separate things in this world,” he said. And the Cowboys players need to remain locked in on practice and not let one guy’s negotiations distract them.