Cowboys Rumors: Dalton Schultz, Dallas 'Far Apart' in Contract Extension Discussions

Dalton Schultz is currently set to play the 2022 season on the franchise tag, and the Dallas Cowboys tight end wants a contract extension.

However, Schultz and the Cowboys "currently stand far apart" in contract negotiations, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

"Talks would need to take on new life to culminate in a contract, and market conditions could compel the Cowboys to wait," Gehlken wrote.

If Schultz and the Cowboys can't reach an agreement, he'll earn $10.9 million on the franchise tag in 2022 and can be tagged again in 2023 for $13.12 million, per Gehlken.

In pursuit of an extension, Schultz skipped the final week of voluntary OTAs before returning to the Cowboys for mandatory minicamp last week. That said, he would have been fined if he did not report to minicamp.

Schultz has spent his entire four-year career with the Cowboys after being selected by the franchise in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft, and he has emerged as one of the team's more effective offensive players over the last two seasons.

During the 2021 campaign, the 25-year-old appeared in all 17 games, catching 78 passes for 808 yards and eight touchdowns. He had a solid connection with quarterback Dak Prescott, who told reporters earlier this month that he was confident Schultz would receive a new deal.

"He's a guy that I feel very comfortable with, have a lot of trust with. He knows that. The team knows that. So I'm confident in that situation," Prescott said. "Me and Schultz talk all the time. So I knew what was happening, the team does, and as I said, we'll handle it."

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy also told reporters that he wasn't worried about Schultz's contract situation.

"Business is business and I'm in the business of winning football games. We all have contracts. We all have these types of situations that they come about," McCarthy said via the team's official website. "Timing obviously plays into these decisions and transactions. Now, as a head coach, it takes you a few years to get used to it, but I think you have to learn to separate things in this world.

"Dalton deserves this position that he's in. So hopefully we can get it worked out."

The Cowboys have until July 15 to sign Schultz to an extension, or he'll have to play on the franchise tag.