Cowboys Hint at Franchise Tag Use; Dalton Schultz or Tony Pollard?

Dallas Cowboys COO Stephen Jones stated at the Scouting Combine that the team would use the franchise tag, but his comments potentially offered an insight to Dalton Schultz's future as well.

The Dallas Cowboys have several critical decisions to make this offseason. One is deciding the futures of several free agents, including running back Tony Pollard and tight end Dalton Schultz.

The consensus has been that Pollard would likely get the franchise tag, and Schultz would then be free to explore his options in free agency.

But ...

Cowboys COO Stephen Jones spoke with reporters ahead of the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, and his comments suggest that what many thought would happen, might not at all.

"More than likely, we'll use our (franchise) tag," Jones said. "Not necessarily on Tony, but we'll use it."

Not necessarily using the tag on Pollard? Many thought that was the obvious move. So, does that hint at Schultz's future with the organization lasting at least another year?

The thought of having Schultz - who has grown to become Dak Prescott's security blanket - sign a new contract on the going rate for tight ends (would see him earn roughly $14 million a year) wasn't a thought.

But...

Neither was having him potentially being franchise tagged again.

Schultz would earn roughly $13 million should he be tagged in 2023, but is that the smart move given the depth that has emerged behind him?

With rookies in Peyton Hendershot and Jake Ferguson showing glimpses of their talent this past season, most thought that Schultz had one foot out the door in Frisco.

That still may not be the case now, as tagging Schultz remains a possibility despite not being a thought for many at first.

While Schultz didn't hit the heights of his 2021 form for Dallas this season, it was in the playoffs that he showed what he could do, as he caught 12 passes for 122 yards and three touchdowns in two games.

So, while many thought Schultz leaving Frisco was a forgone conclusion, Jones' comments could suggest otherwise, and that could be the first of many dominoes to fall this offseason.

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