Cowboys Rumors: Tony Pollard Doesn't Agree to New Contract Ahead of Deadline

The Dallas Cowboys committed to Tony Pollard as their lead running back for the 2023 season when they used their franchise tag on him, but his future with the team beyond this year is not guaranteed.

Pollard and the Cowboys failed to reach an agreement on a long-term contract extension prior to Monday's 4 p.m. deadline, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, meaning the 26-year-old will play this season on his one-year franchise tender before becoming a free agent next offseason.

Pollard is scheduled to make $10.1 million under the franchise tag, which he signed in March. With Dallas handing Pollard the reins as the lead back, the team released star running back Ezekiel Elliott earlier this offseason to open up $10.9 million in cap space.

Pollard began his career as a change-of-pace option behind Elliott, but he emerged as the team's No. 1 running back in 2022 after proving he could be more effective with the ball in his hands.

The Memphis product recorded 1,007 rushing yards and nine touchdowns while also adding 371 receiving yards and three more scores last season to earn his first selection to the Pro Bowl. Elliott, meanwhile, finished with just 876 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns despite posting 231 carries compared to Pollard's 193.

Unfortunately, Pollard suffered a broken leg and an ankle sprain in the Cowboys' NFC Divisional Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers in January. He underwent surgery and he said last month that he expects to be cleared to participate in training camp.

The Cowboys don't have much depth behind Pollard in the backfield, as primary backups Malik Davis and Ronald Jones played sparingly in 2022. Dallas selected Deuce Vaughn out of Kansas State in the sixth round of this year's draft.

While Pollard may not have reached the long-term deal he was seeking, it's clear that he will be a focal point of the Cowboys offense and one of the keys to helping the team achieve some elusive postseason success.