Dallas Cowboys have made a franchise tag decision, first time since 2017

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The NFL offseason is the blessed time when multiple franchises use the opportunistic franchise tag to keep hold of their best players.

The franchise tag is important as it allows one valuable player from every franchise to be retained.

Teams can use the franchise tag to their advantage in various ways.

1. By tagging a player they can use this as a window of opportunity to secure their player to a fresh long-term deal.
2. The franchise can hold on to their tagged player to use as high-value trade stock, giving themselves leverage in negotiations.
3. A team may want to hold on to their prize possession for one more season, instead of the player hitting free agency.

However, the Dallas Cowboys are going to be doing one thing that they have not done since the 2017 offseason.

A busy offseason on the cards

There are multiple items on Jerry Jones’ offseason agenda: Dak Prescott’s contract situation, whether they will be offering CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons well-deserved new deals and how are they going to approach the free agency market in just a matter of days?

Although what we do know as of the moment, is the Dallas Cowboys will not be placing the franchise tag on any player this offseason – according to Todd Archer, ESPN.

This is the first time the Cowboys have deferred the tagging option in over six years.

Rumors have circulated in the offseason that the Cowboys may place running back Tony Pollard under the tag.

No franchise tag for Pollard

Pollard endured a difficult season but came on strong in the back end.

The 26-year-old entered the 2023 season off the back of a procedure on his left leg in the 2022 playoffs.

He registered back-to-back rushing campaigns of over 1000 yards.

The running back averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 2022 but only 4.0 yards last season.

Additionally, the Cowboys running back finished with two yards more in 2022 while having 59 carries less.

The 5^th year rusher will be hitting free agency soon but he could still sport the blue star on his helmet come the 2024 season.

Pollard was given the franchise tag in 2023 after breaking the 1000-yard barrier but will not be a recipient this time.

No tag for the first time in 6 years

The Cowboys’ last franchise tags beyond 2017 are Dalton Schultz (2022), franchise quarterback Dak Prescott (2020, 2021), and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (2018,2019).

Jerry Jones and his executives have indicated that no one will be hitting free agency whom they are concerned about not retaining.

The Cowboys owner has been quoted saying the run game was an issue.

Will they be looking to the free agency for talent?