Late Sunday afternoon, Cowboys fans got some news regarding the status of RB Tony Pollard.
Whether it's good or bad news depends on which side of the fence you land on when it comes to paying NFL running backs.
First reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys, “…barring a late change, are not expected to reach a deal by Monday's 4 p.m. franchise tag deadline…”
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
What Is the Franchise Tag?
The franchise tag is a resource that NFL teams may use to ensure they retain an upcoming unrestricted free agent.
Teams do not have to use the tag, and most usually only utilize it when contract negotiations are proving to be difficult.
Although it pays out the average of the top five salaries at every particular position across the league, it is just a one year place holder.
NFL teams often utilize it to force the player into a “prove it” year before rewarding them with a new contract.
Should Pollard play the 2023 season on the franchise tag, it would cost Dallas $10.091 million against the salary cap.
What's Likely to Happen?
Trying to answer this question proves to be as difficult as the contract negotiations themselves.
To tell you the truth, we need to take the tweet from Fowler with a grain of salt.
The Cowboys have a precedent of not showing their hand until the final moment.
In a contract dispute with former WR Dez Bryant in the 2015 offseason, it was also reported that no deal was imminent.
That was reported days before the deadline, and a deal was miraculously signed just two days later.
It's also possible that deals for other franchised running backs could be holding up negotiations between the Cowboys and Pollard.
Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants and Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders were also franchised tagged, and have expressed their disdain.
Neither has reported to any team activities, and Saquon has gone as far as saying he wouldn't be available for Week 1 of the season.
Luckily for the Cowboys, that disdain has not been shared by Pollard or his team.
Unless it's been kept under wraps and not made public, it appears the relationship between the team and Pollard isn't strained.
As a 4th round pick, a shade over $10 million for one season would be the biggest payday of Pollard's career.
What's the Backup Plan?
Fans may be invested in the explosiveness and playmaking ability that Pollard brings to the offense.
The reality of the situation is that the NFL is a business first, emotions second entity.
We have to assume the worst possible scenario, and that scenario could mean Pollard does not suit up without a long-term deal.
Should it come to that, the other running backs on the Cowboys' roster are veteran Ronald Jones, pre-season darling Rico Dowdle, and rookie Deuce Vaughn.
Not exactly a murderer's row lining up behind QB Dak Prescott.
If last season is any indication, the offense would be better suited with a proven commodity for Prescott to hand off/pass the ball to.
So let's cross our fingers, Cowboys Nation.
It would ease a lot of minds if the Cowboys and Pollard can strike a deal at the 11th hour to avoid any possible drama.
