Cowboys Rumors: Tony Pollard to Get Franchise Tag If No New Contract By Deadline

The Dallas Cowboys intend to place the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard if the two sides are unable to strike a long-term deal ahead of Tuesday's tag deadline, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The franchise tag for running backs in 2023 is worth $10 million.

The news that Pollard could be tagged comes after Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters on Feb. 28 that the team would "more than likely" use the franchise tag this offseason.

"More than likely we'll use the franchise tag," Jones said. "Not necessarily on Tony, but (likely) we'll use it."

If the Cowboys opted not to place the franchise tag on Pollard, he would become a free agent this winter, and it's clear Dallas doesn't want one half of its dynamic running back duo to hit the open market.

Pollard is worth $9 million per season, according to Spotrac's market value, which used Nick Chubb, Aaron Jones, Leonard Fournette and James Conner as comparables. So, getting franchise-tagged wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for the veteran, who could increase his value with another 1,000-plus-yard season in 2023.

Pollard, who was selected by the Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2019 draft out of Memphis, had the best season of his career in 2022, rushing for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games, in addition to catching 39 passes for 371 yards and three scores.

The 25-year-old has combined with Ezekiel Elliott over the last four seasons to make one of the best running back duos in the NFL. If the Cowboys were to let Pollard go, it's reasonable to believe they wouldn't be nearly as effective in the backfield, especially considering he was better than Elliott in 2022.

Elliott rushed for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns in 15 games last season. His performances over the last three years have been a far cry from his earlier seasons in the NFL, when he posted at least 1,300 rushing yards in three of his first four years.

With Elliott not hitting the same gear he used to, keeping Pollard on board for 2023 and beyond should be one of Dallas' priorities this winter.