The Dallas Cowboys lack cap room, and thus the flexibility to offer free agents massive contracts. OTC estimates the Cowboys are $19.74M over the cap, meaning the franchise must make tough decisions, letting some players walk while others stay.
Perhaps the most prominent of their 16 unrestricted free agents: running back Tony Pollard.
"The Cowboys should not get into a bidding war to keep Pollard," wrote The Athletic's Jon Machota. "He's a good player, but the position just doesn't have the same value anymore. If they can retain him on a team-friendly deal, it could be a smart move. Running back should be addressed somewhere in the middle of the draft, but bringing back Pollard, 26, for another year or two is not a bad idea."
Dallas gave Pollard the franchise tag last offseason, paying him $10.09M on a fully guaranteed one-year deal. Jerry Jones and Co. could tag him again if they don't want to commit to a long-term deal. However, when a player is tagged for a second time, it costs 120 percent of his salary from the previous season.
Extending him could be more expensive. Per Spotrac, Pollard's market value is a two-year deal worth $6.5M annually (eighth at his position).
Pollard didn't meet expectations in his first season as RB1 in Dallas, but he wasn't terrible. In 17 games, Pollard rushed for 1,005 yards and six TDs on 252 carries.
Tony Pollard carries multiple defenders into the end zone
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Keeping him and adding a legit RB2 would fortify Dallas' ground attack, which could in turn help it end a 27-year championship drought.
The San Francisco 49ers — who face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday — are third in the league in rushing yards per game (139.7). Dallas, meanwhile, finished 15th (113.5).
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