Will Tony Pollard walk a similar path as DeMarco Murray?

Running backs come into the NFL a dime a dozen.

The Dallas Cowboys have been fortunate enough to land on some great ones in Tony Dorsett, Calvin Hill, Emmitt Smith, and Ezekiel Elliott.

Toss in Herschel Walker, albeit for a short period, and you can argue for running back university in Dallas.

Even with that distinguished list, the talent in that position does not end there.

DeMarco Murray and Tony Pollard both waited their turn to be the lead dog in their offenses, although the amount of time they sat on ice differed substantially.

Football: NFC Playoffs: Dallas Cowboys DeMarco Murray (29) in action, rushing vs Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Green Bay, WI 1/11/2015
CREDIT: Tom Lynn (Photo by Tom Lynn /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set Number: X159133 TK1 )

Both running backs represented Tough decisions for Dallas

DeMarco Murray earned playing time in his rookie season, but some would attribute it to the injuries to players in front of him.

Unfortunately, the storybook ending as the featured running back crashed abruptly and unexpectedly for fans.

During the 2014 season, Murray earned the offensive player of the year award and led the league in rushing with 1845 rushing yards.

He was also influential in the passing game hauling 57 receptions on 64 targets.

His injury list was a concern in his first three seasons with Dallas. Once he jumped that hurdle, DeMarco was ready to cash in.

Did the Dallas front office fumble the bag with that below-market offer they made to Murray?

Possibly.

Reports went rampant when the offer Dallas conjured hit the new cycle described as a 4-year deal worth between $16 million and $24 million.

DeMarco got his guarantees from the Philadelphia Eagles, but they would only pay it for a short time. He lasted all of one season with the division rivals.

The question now is, should Murray have taken a hometown discount to keep that team together?

I would never tell a player to overlook long-term financial security.

Considering that team’s potential, it would have been appropriate to include the question in the equation.

Tony Pollard’s story is still being written by someone else

Tony Pollard finds himself in a similar situation as DeMarco Murray. He is on a team loaded and primed for a 2024 playoff push.

Tony had his breakout season in 2022. He was still in the shadows of Elliott, but he would no longer watch from the sidelines.

Cowboys’ fans had been waiting for Pollard to get more playing time. He played sparingly over his first three seasons, but his carries increased yearly.

When Dallas finally split the carries equally, he made the most of his opportunity.

He assumed his role as lightning to Zeke’s thunder, and that combination was the best in the league.

Pollard ran for 1007 yards and 371 yards by air. Coincidentally, Murray and Pollard had breakout seasons in their fourth years.

Even with the injury, Tony has propelled himself into a Top-10 running back in the NFL.

The difference now is Dallas has control. Unlike when they needed the tag for Dez in Murray’s contract year, they had that financial tool to use on Tony.

Coming soon to a theater near you are contracts for players like CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs. They will get the headlines and attention.

Tony Pollard signed the $10.09 million franchise tag and reported to camp without any controversy. I doubt he will be front-page news with Diggs and Lamb grabbing the media’s attention.

The Dallas Cowboys will approach a familiar crossroads.

Will they offer Pollard a competitive offer, or will they throw out a number that fits their cap situation?

Better yet, will they tell the man known as TP20 thanks but no thanks?

The fan in me yells bring Tony back, but the realist inside thinks he’ll follow a similar path as Murray once did.