Cowboys' Top Contract Extension Priorities Entering Training Camp
As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for 2022 training camp, it's never a bad idea to look ahead at what the front office's priorities are going to be heading into the season.
On the personnel side of things, there aren't many moves left to be made. After shaking up the roster all offseason, it's now about trimming the roster down to 53 players and continuing to map out the long-term vision for the franchise.
On that note, it's a good time to start looking at who is worthy of extending in 2023.
Unlike the 2022 free-agent class that featured several key players, the 2023 group of expiring contracts isn't quite as formidable in Dallas. These three, however, should be on the priority list.
RB Tony Pollard
This one might be controversial. The Dallas Cowboys have already learned a valuable lesson about handing big second contracts to running backs.
Ezekiel Elliott's monstrous six-year, $90 million contract has restricted the Cowboys' financial flexibility over the last few seasons.
But the team will have an opportunity to mitigate his deal next season. He can be released or traded and only account for $11.9 million in dead cap. That's a fairly large sum of money to get rid of a player who has still been productive, but it would save them $5 million against the cap and get them out of paying him over $14.3 million each season until 2027.
The problem with releasing a player like Elliott is the Cowboys need to have a better and cheaper alternative.
That player is already on the roster. Pollard's market value, according to Spotrac, is three years and $11.7 million. Pollard averaged 6.2 yards per touch last season while Elliott only averaged 4.5. The younger Pollard has been more efficient than the starter in each season since 2019.
Releasing Elliott and extending Pollard will be costly in 2023, but it's a better investment than letting Pollard walk.
OT Terence Steele
The Cowboys have already given a huge stamp of approval on Terence Steele. That happened the day they decided to release La'el Collins and effectively made Steele the starter at right tackle.
He's already provided huge value to the franchise. As an undrafted free agent, he's cost less than $1 million against the cap in each of his first three seasons, and he's already made 27 starts.
There have been ups and downs with the 25-year-old. He gave up 10 sacks in 2020, according to Sports Info Solutions. However, he cut that number down to two in 2021.
At this point, Dallas is gambling a bit. If they are able to extend his contract early, they could get him at a discount based on his two years and the inconsistency.
But if he takes over as the official starter at right tackle and continues to elevate his play, he could be in line for a much bigger payday.
TE Dalton Schultz
It's officially too late for the Cowboys to come to terms on a contract for Dalton Schultz this season. The deadline for those on the franchise tag to sign a multi-year deal was 4 p.m. ET on July 15.
That date came and went with the Cowboys and their tight end unable to reach an agreement.
It's a familiar song and dance for Cowboys fans. The organization had to use the tag on Dak Prescott twice before coming to a long-term agreement.
This time, the Cowboys chose to use the tag in an offseason in which the money could have been spent to keep some important players. The decisions to trade Amari Cooper, release La'el Collins and let Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Connor Williams find new homes came down to money.
Prioritizing Schultz could make sense. He is only 25 and was a stabilizing force in the passing game last year. But if the Cowboys let all of those players leave so they could only pay Schultz for one year, that's going to be a disappointment.