The Dallas Cowboys have placed the franchise tag on veteran running back Tony Pollard with the 2023 franchise tender for running backs being worth $10.09 million, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer.
The deadline for teams to use the franchise tag is Tuesday at 4pm EST and now Dallas will turn their attention to working out a multi-year contract with Pollard by the July 15th deadline, and if they are unsuccessful then Pollard would play the season on the franchise tag.
Pollard had a breakout season in 2022 and earned a Pro Bowl spot after rushing for 1,007 yards, but needed surgery to repair a high ankle sprain suffered in the playoffs against the San Francisco 49ers.
Pollard is expected to be 100% by the time training camp opens.
With Pollard firmly entrenched as the Cowboys lead back, the team will likely look to request that Ezekiel Elliott take a significant pay cut who is set to make $10.9 million and count $16.72 million against their 2023 cap.
Should the Cowboys release Elliott, they would save $4.8 million.
