Cowboys Rumors: Tony Pollard Not Expected to Get $12.1M Franchise Tag Ahead of NFL FA

The Dallas Cowboys are not expected to give running back Tony Pollard a franchise tag before he's set to enter free agency, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The tag is worth roughly $12.1 million. Pollard played the 2023 season on a $10.1 million franchise tag, although it doesn't appear that Dallas' front office is interested in giving him a second one.

In 17 starts during his 2023 campaign, he recorded 1,005 yards and six touchdowns on 252 carries.

While he was able to surpass the 1,000-yard threshold, it was an underwhelming season for Pollard. In 2022, the 26-year-old accumulated 1,007 yards in 16 appearances while making just four starts as he split time in the backfield with Ezekiel Elliott. When Dallas released Elliott in the 2023 offseason, many envisioned a more productive season for Pollard.

A return to the Cowboys isn't out of the question, however. His teammates have spoken openly about their desire for him to come back in free agency, though.

"I would say toward the end of the season Tony Pollard was catching his rhythm again," All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett said in a Feb. 17 appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show (h/t Bobby Kownack of NFL.com). "I do think he's an every-down guy. You've got to think, he broke his fibula, tibia, something, that's a catastrophic injury. You're talking about a guy that's really been off from that January, came back Week 1 but he didn't really do a lot."

Pollard's age could also be a factor in his upcoming free agency, as he'll be 27 years old once training camps begin in the summer. In recent years, teams have been hesitant to pay running backs long-term deals that will take them beyond their age-30 season.