Cowboys RB Tony Pollard: New Contract, New Sheriff in Town?
Dallas Cowboys running Tony Pollard is expected to be back with the team next season. Whether that will be under the franchise tag or with a shiny new contract, the running back will be in Frisco for at least one more year.
After having a career-best season that saw Pollard grab his first Pro Bowl nod for his 1,007 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns as he moved ahead in the pecking order over Ezekiel Elliott, Pollard could be set for a more significant role on offense now that he is slated to return.
Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones once stated the offense goes as Zeke goes. Is it possible that the offense now goes through Pollard?
Possibly.
CowboysSI.com already gone through how Mike McCarthy's West Coast offense can become "Dak-Friendly" by lightening his workload, and that could be where Pollard shines.
Having usurped Elliott as the top running back last season, Pollard was explosive in the run and pass game.
His quick feet and lightning speed made him a fine counter to Elliott's punishing running style, hence the term "Dine and Dash" coined by our own Bri Amaranthus. Pollard also caught 39 passes (tied for a career-high) for 371 yards and three receiving touchdowns (both career-highs).
After being predominantly a backup running back, Pollard burst to life as a true dual-threat back last season. Pollard could see his workload dramatically increased with McCarthy now calling the plays.
Such was his importance to the offense, when not in the team, the Cowboys offense lost a lot of its explosiveness, and the running game ceased to function (see San Francisco 49ers playoff loss).
Pollard's likely return to Frisco is welcome news, even if it is at a little over $10 million APY.
Elliott has been the leading man since 2016, and with his production slowing down rapidly, Pollard has moved ahead of his teammate in the pecking order and there was no ill will about it either.
Dallas has plenty of weapons on offense, but none as crucial as Pollard, who could transition into the leading man for Dak and McCarthy going forward.
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