Dallas Cowboys will use franchise tag on Tony Pollard if no deal, per NFL insider

One of the biggest superstars on the Dallas Cowboys’ roster, running back Tony Pollard, is set to become a free agent soon. The franchise is determined to not let that happen. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys will use the franchise tag on Pollard if the two sides cannot workout a deal. Dallas has been clear the tag is an option and they don’t want to let him go. He’ll be suiting up for the Cowboys during the 2023 season. Pollard is set to make $10.1 million during the 2023 season.

Rapoport broke down the Cowboys situation with Pollard when he was reporting from the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday night on the NFL Network.

“Sources say that standout running back Tony Pollard is going to receive the franchise tag if the two sides cannot work out a long-term deal by Tuesday’s deadline. Obviously, Dallas [is] not in the business of letting great players walk. Pollard has really emerged as one of the top running backs in the NFL. They are going to make sure that is exactly where he stays for the 2023 season, and really, not a surprise.

“Stephen Jones and a couple of the other members of the Dallas Cowboys, including Mike McCarthy, have been pretty public this week when meeting with reporters that they want to keep Tony Pollard around. Now, I’m told, that is expected to happen, so he gets the franchise tag. A little over $10 million, similar situation to Josh Jacobs, the Las Vegas Raiders star running back. [He] also got the franchise tag earlier today. Those guys will continue to work toward a long-term deal toward the July 15 deadline.”

In the past few years, Pollard has demonstrated that he’s not only one of the most explosive running backs in the National Football League, but that he’s also one of the most efficient runners as well. Last year, he rushed for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns on just 193 attempts. Pollard averaged 5.2 yards per carry–ranking him seventh in the league in that stat category.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this article.