Cowboys Rumors: Tony Pollard Won't Reach New Contract Ahead of Franchise Tag Deadline

The Dallas Cowboys could lose their starting running back in 2024.

The Cowboys and Tony Pollard are "not expected" to agree to a multi-year deal by Monday's franchise tag deadline, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Pollard signed a one-year, $10.091 million franchise tag in March.

The 2022 Pro Bowler rushed for a career-best 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns last season, adding 371 yards and three touchdowns on 39 receptions.

Unless he agrees to a new deal with Dallas before 4 p.m. ET Monday, Pollard will become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.

Pollard, 26, broke his left leg and suffered a high ankle sprain on a tackle in January as the Cowboys lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs. The running back underwent surgery on torn ligaments from the sprain later that month.

Days before franchise tagging him, general manager Jerry Jones said the team expected him to fully recover.

"I feel very confident that he can have the kind of recovery that won't minimize or potentially impact, negatively, how he plays," Jones said at the 2023 NFL Combine in March, per DallasCowboys.com's Patrik Walker.

In April, Jones said the team was interested in a long-term future with Pollard, according to The Dallas Morning News' Calvin Watkins.

"He's going to be here this year, and he's franchised and that shows you what we think of him," Jones said. "We also like to look at keeping him around here for the next three or four years as well."

The Cowboys further demonstrated confidence in Pollard by releasing Ezekiel Elliott in March. Elliott had served as the team's top running back for six seasons prior to Pollard's breakout campaign, but had not recorded 100 rushing yards in a single game since Week 5 of his 2021 season.

Despite the team's plan to rely on Pollard in 2024, CBS Sports' Joel Corry said last week there "didn't seem to be a sense of urgency" in finding a multi-year deal for Pollard.

Having already signed his franchise tag, Pollard is locked in for at least next season. The team will now get the chance to see how well he has recovered from injury before locking him in for the long term.