While it might be the worst-kept secret in football, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Friday that the Dallas Cowboys plan to use the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard if the two sides can’t agree on a contract by March 7.
Speaking with reporters from the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones unsurprisingly declined to confirm the report.
“Why would I say that?” Jones said, via Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. “You know I shouldn’t say that, OK, because I might be trying to sign somebody else, and I’m threatening with the franchise tag.”
While Jones’ denial had reporters laughing, he clarified his point about using the franchise tag as leverage in contract negotiations.
“The tag really does, if you can, need to be used two or three different ways,” Jones said. “There’s more value than just saying that’s it there, now we worry about all this other stuff. So there’s a way to take that and maybe get a little bit more out of it.”
Jones said that due to the nature of the business, he didn’t want to say franchising Pollard was a done deal but reiterated that the back was “a big part” of the Cowboys’ plans.
Dallas has repeatedly expressed its desire to keep Pollard, and it’s clear by Jones’ statement that the team will do anything within its power to make it happen. Earlier this week, Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones implied the same, saying, “We’re not afraid of the tag.”
Of course, the Cowboys may prefer paying the $10.1 million franchise tag rather than committing to Pollard long-term. Dallas has already seen firsthand how a long, lucrative contract given to a running back can eventually complicate things, with Ezekiel Elliott’s six-year, $90 million contract still looming large over Arlington.
Following his breakout 1,000-yard season, it was clear the Cowboys would have to pay Pollard, one way or the other, this offseason. With the deadline to designate franchise players quickly approaching, the Cowboys have little time left to make their decision.
