Dalton Schultz Says 'No' to Cowboys 'Solid Offer'; Becoming NFL Highest-Paid TE?

On March 13, when "legal tampering'' is allowed? Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz could be joining Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Darren Waller as a top-paid guy.

FRISCO - We already know that a key Dallas Cowboys offensive starter is unlikely to return for the 2023 season. And why? Dallas doesn't value Dalton Schultz quite enough ...

And we may be about to find out that the NFL at large disagrees.

Schultz, 26, is set to hit free agency next week, and he will surely be viewed as top tight end available in the market. ... so much so that there is a chance he will become the highest-paid tight end in the NFL.

Schultz was making $10.9 million on the franchise tag in 2022. Dallas had the option to do that again, but a second tag would have cost the Cowboys over $13 million.

So Dallas instead tagged running back Tony Pollard ... while, as we understand it so far, not making much of an effort during the combine to stay in touch with Schultz.

However, there is a new report from Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer claiming that Schultz has already turned down “a pretty solid multi-year offer” from the Cowboys.

We don't know when that was. We don't know much it was. But we think it wasn't nearly "solid'' enough compared to what the market will offer.

But on March 13, when "legal tampering'' is allowed? He could be joining Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Darren Waller as a top-paid guy.

The very best tight ends are making in the range of $11 million APY. Spotrac projects an average annual salary for Schultz of $15.1 million. Spotrac also guesses that Schultz will get a four-year contract worth $60.6 million, which in terms of total value would put him above Kelce's $57 million and behind only Kittle's $75 million. would also rank second, behind only Kittle, in terms of total value.

The Cowboys are going to move on here, almost certainly, with Schultz being replaced by the kids on roster (Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot) and maybe another kid, with so much buzz about Dallas drafting a tight end in April.

The Cowboys admit they need more playmakers, and that will be even more true if Schultz departs. And if he does? It'll be about both his play and his pay.

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