Can Cowboys Sign Tony Pollard to ‘Cheap’ Long-Term Contract?
The Dallas Cowboys have a clear No. 1 running back in Tony Pollard, but the team has no concrete idea of how long Pollard will stay in town.
But CowboysSI.com has written that Dallas has “touched base” with Pollard in extension talks. And our Mike Fisher has noted that the “going rate” for a back might now be $6 million APY, and that a deal like that would help Dallas both retain the Pro Bowler and reduce his 2022 cap impact.
Yes, JK Dobbins and Josh Jacobs and Dalvin Cook and Saquon Barkley chasing dollar signs, and good for them. But we agree with DallasCowboys.com, which writes that the Cowboys have the leverage in negotiations.
"At some point, these running backs are going to see the writing on the wall. Doesn't matter how great they are, teams don't want to spend a lot of money on them," the site writes.
It’s true. Cook is a four-time Pro Bowler turned free agent who has rushed for 5,993 yards and 47 touchdowns during six years in Minnesota. But the $10 million APY number he wants is still too much for most teams.
Barkley has 4,249 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground in four seasons with the Giants and is struggling to reach a long-term deal with the team.
And on and on and on …
"So if these other situations factor into the Cowboys and/or Pollard at all, it might actually lead to a long-term deal," the article notes. "Pollard might not see it this way, but at some point, these guys might have to lower the overall number just to get a long-term deal in place."
Running backs taking a pay cut? Dallas may have the crowning example of all in the Ezekiel Elliott's release that saved the team nearly $11 million.
Can Pollard hit the jackpot of in excess of $6 million or $10 million APY by becoming a free agent next year? He has every right - but maybe not every reason - to bet on himself.
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