Coming into the offseason, the Cowboys had a big question mark at the running back position, as Tony Pollard was set to hit free agency and Ezekiel Elliott was a prime cut candidate.
But they both may have stars on their helmets next season...
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis Friday evening that Pollard isn't going anywhere this offseason and will be back with Dallas next season - by way of either the $10.1 million franchise tag or a long-term contract extension.
“That franchise (tag) is there and should be judicially used for the right spot. ... I really don't want to say it's a done thing because as these things go, you don't know where you are until the deadline comes and goes," Jones told reporters, including 105.3 The Fan's Bobby Belt. "Right now, certainly, Tony is a big part of our plans."
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported a short time before Jones met with reporters that the Cowboys plan to place the franchise tag on Pollard if they don't agree to an extension by Tuesday's deadline to tag players.
Pollard had a breakout season in 2022-23, piling up a career-high 1,007 yards on the ground and 371 yards on receptions, and 12 touchdowns.
Pollard underwent surgery last month after he suffered a broken fibula in the Cowboys' playoff loss to the 49ers. Despite the injury, executive vice president Stephen Jones said this week that Pollard is expected to be ready at the beginning of training camp.
“It’s problematic because he has to work through the offseason here and we’re putting some new things in. But my awareness of the repair that was done is good in terms of being able to not have it alter his contract," Jerry Jones said when asked about Pollard's recovery.
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As for Elliott, Jones said Friday that he believes the organization can make it work financially to keep both backs on the roster next season.
Elliott is coming off the worst season of his seven-year career in 2022. In 15 games, he rushed for a career-low 876 yards on 231 carries. He averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry and a career-worst 17 catches for 92 yards.
Despite taking a backseat to Pollard at times this season, Elliott still managed to punch in 12 touchdowns.
The $10.9 million salary Elliott will earn in 2023 comes with a $16.72 million cap hit, according to Spotrac. But according to the Dallas Morning News, Elliott is willing to restructure his contract and take a pay cut.
Elliott signed a six-year, $90 million contract extension with the Cowboys in 2019. That decision has hampered the organization ever since, and likely resulted in the Cowboys decision to move on from No. 1 wide receiver Amari Cooper before last season.
The Cowboys have an easier path to get out of Elliott's deal this offseason as he doesn't have any guarantees in his contract.
Dallas can designate him as a post-June 1 cut, leaving them with $5.82 million and $6.04 million of dead money on the 2023 and 2024 salary caps. But such a move would come with $10.9 million in short-term savings.
If Dallas were to cut him before June 1, they'd incur $11.86 million of dead-money while saving $4.86 million.
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