Cowboys Rumors: Dalton Schultz Not Yet Talking Long-Term Contract After Franchise Tag

One day after using the franchise tag to keep Dalton Schultz, the Dallas Cowboys don't appear to be in a rush to sign him to a long-term contract. 

Per NFL Network's Jane Slater, the team hasn't had active negotiations with Schultz's camp yet. 

Slater noted the "intent is there" to sign Schultz long term, but the Cowboys want to see how things plays out in a thin market for tight ends this offseason.

If the Cowboys try to slow-play things by waiting a year, they could end up paying top dollar to keep Schultz. Their history suggests they don't feel compelled to act quickly in negotiations with players who get tagged. 

DeMarcus Lawrence played on the tag in 2018 and was tagged again in 2019, but he wound up signing a five-year, $105 million extension in April 2019. Dak Prescott was tagged in back-to-back years in 2020 and 2021 before he signed his long-term deal in May 2021.

If the Cowboys don't sign Schultz to an extension before July 15, he will earn $10.9 million in 2022 on the one-year franchise tender. 

There are certainly viable reasons for Dallas to try to get Schultz to commit to a long-term deal. He's a player on the rise and could come at an affordable price relative to his production. 

Dallas is in a difficult spot with the salary cap. The team did free up $22 million after restructuring the contracts of Prescott and Zack Martin, but it is still $22.5 million over the cap. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported last week the Cowboys were "likely" to release Amari Cooper before his deal becomes fully guaranteed March 20, which would save them $16 million, per Over the Cap. 

Slater reported Wednesday that teams are calling about Cooper. She added a club could try to rework his deal to spread out his money over multiple years via signing bonus if a trade agreement is worked out. 

Schultz is coming off the best season of his career. The 25-year-old finished second on the team in targets (104) and receptions (78), tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (eight) and ranked third in receiving yards (808).