The Dallas Cowboys are keeping running back Tony Pollard.
The team reportedly placed the franchise tag on him Monday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Pollard will make a fully guaranteed $10.09 million if he plays on the tag, but the team also has until July 15 to negotiate a long-term extension. This was always the expectation, though, if a contract couldn’t be agreed to before Tuesday’s deadline.
The fourth-year running back posted his best season in 2022. Pollard rushed for 1,007 yards and 9 touchdowns for a healthy 5.2 yards-per-carry average. He also caught 39 receptions for 371 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Pollard’s future looked bright until he broke his fibula in the Cowboys’ playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers in January. But now, at the very least, Pollard will have some financial security as he recovers from his injury. Early reports indicate Pollard should be ready by training camp after he underwent surgery soon after the injury occurred.
Pollard, who signed the franchise tag tender in March, will make $10.1 million on a one-year deal this season. Pollard led the Cowboys in rushing last season with career highs of 193 carries, 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns.
If Pollard and fellow running back Ezekiel Elliott both play on their current contracts, the Cowboys will be spending almost $27 million at the position. That, plus the $870,000 on third-stringer Malik Davis, would set the NFL record for more money spent on the running back position in NFL history, per Warren Sharp (the next-highest are the Tennessee Titans with $19.29 million invested in their running backs). The Cowboys also led the league in 2022 with $19.78 million going to running backs, per Spotrac.
Now, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy did say he wanted to run the ball more, but that’s still a lot of money to allocate to a notoriously overvalued position.
More than likely, though, Elliott will either be released, traded or have his massive contract restructured. He already reportedly said he’d be willing to take a pay cut to stay in Dallas. But as it stands now, he’ll earn $10.9 million in base salary with a prorated roster bonus that will push his 2023 cap number to $16.72 million. If the Cowboys release or trade him before June 1, the team will save $4.86 million but incur an $11.86 million dead cap hit. A post-June 1 designation effectively flips those numbers.
If Pollard and fellow running back Ezekiel Elliott both play on their current contracts, the Cowboys will be spending almost $27 million at the position. That, plus the $870,000 on third-stringer Malik Davis, would set the NFL record for more money spent on the running back position in NFL history, per Warren Sharp (the next-highest are the Tennessee Titans with $19.29 million invested in their running backs). The Cowboys also led the league in 2022 with $19.78 million going to running backs, per Spotrac.
Now, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy did say he wanted to run the ball more, but that’s still a lot of money to allocate to a notoriously overvalued position.
More than likely, though, Elliott will either be released, traded or have his massive contract restructured. He already reportedly said he’d be willing to take a pay cut to stay in Dallas. But as it stands now, he’ll earn $10.9 million in base salary with a prorated roster bonus that will push his 2023 cap number to $16.72 million. If the Cowboys release or trade him before June 1, the team will save $4.86 million but incur an $11.86 million dead cap hit. A post-June 1 designation effectively flips those numbers.
Tony Pollard Injury
The fractured fibula Pollard suffered during the injury is now healed as well. The 26-year-old running back who is playing on the franchise tag maintains he feels better than ever after going through his injury recovery. “Honestly I feel faster,” Pollard said.
Tony Pollard Weight
Tony Pollard stads at a weight 95 kg
Tony Pollard Contract
Tony Pollard signed a 4 year, $3,187,780 contract with the Dallas Cowboys, including a $667,780 signing bonus, $667,780 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $796,945. In 2023, Pollard will earn a base salary of $10,091,000, while carrying a cap hit of $10,091,000 and a dead cap value of $10,091,000.
Tony Pollard Stats
Career stats
| Year Year |
Team Team |
ATT Rushing attempts |
YDS Rushing yards |
AVG Average yards per carry |
TD Rushing touchdowns |
REC Total receptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 2022 |
Cowboys | 193 193 |
1,007 1,007 |
5.2 5.2 |
9 9 |
39 39 |
| 2021 2021 |
Cowboys | 130 130 |
719 719 |
5.5 5.5 |
2 2 |
39 39 |
| 2020 2020 |
Cowboys | 101 101 |
435 435 |
4.3 4.3 |
4 4 |
28 28 |
| 2019 2019 |
Cowboys | 86 86 |
455 455 |
5.3 5.3 |
2 2 |
15 15 |
| Career Career |
510 510 |
2,616 2,616 |
5.1 5.1 |
17 17 |
121 121 |
Tony Pollard Current team
Tony Pollard is set to play another contract year in 2023. The Cowboys running back will play the 2023 season on the franchise tag he signed back in March with today’s 4 p.m. ET deadline passing with no long-term deal reached.
Tony Pollard Instagram
Tony Pollard (@playmaker_tp)