Tony Pollard Contract: Cowboys Changing Long-Term Plans?

Perhaps one of the biggest storylines to watch this offseason for the Dallas Cowboys is the contract situations of several stars. CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs, Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons are all due or soon-to-be due for contract extensions. … and those four are often mentioned as a group of sorts.

But owner Jerry Jones - maybe in a slip of the tongue and rather nonchalantly - this week in a way jumped another name toward the top of the group … or at least demonstrated that another name was top-of-mind for Jones.

The question was about the importance of doing a Dak Prescott deal first, and whether that was "imperative.'' Jones answered, "It is not imperative ... Not necessarily. …Pollard has nothing to do with Dak.”

Pollard? Who said anything about Pollard?

While there is no order in which these have to be done, cornerback Diggs looms as maybe the first domino to fall as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. Both Lamb and Parsons have two years left. Dak has a different case as extending Prescott would create more salary cap room.

Oh, and we shouldn't forget about offensive lineman Terence Steele either, who is an unrestricted free agent after the 2023 season.

But why did Jerry choose, out of all those names, to single out Pollard, the Pro Bowl running back who is presently scheduled to play on his $10 million franchise tag before becoming a spring 2024 free agent?

Two thoughts: One, On that particular Monday at The Star, in his conversation with CowboysSI.com and small group of reporters, it's possible that Jerry had literally just dealt with a phone call or a conversation or even a negotiation with Pollard.

Two, maybe Dallas' long-term concept on Pollard has changed. Had the Cowboys used a premium pick in the NFL Draft on a running back who seemed a legitimate heir to Pollard - and that was discussed - "TP'' might've been one-and-done here ... play out the $10 million deal and then the Cowboys move on to the cheaper replacement.

That didn't happen. So what if now the Cowboys are re-ordering their thoughts and prioritizing Pollard's negotiations (the parties have until July 17 to forge a new deal) both because they need him long-term and because a new contract for him will likely lessen his present $10 mil impact on the cap?

Pollard is sitting out this week's minicamp while rehabbing from his leg injury that ended his 2022 season, though he will be ready for training camp at the end of July. ... and he seems to recognize his importance here.

"We got a great stable of backs here, but it's a great feeling personally when they look at you as the lead back in the room," Pollard said. "I'm just grateful for the opportunity, and I'm ready to make the most of it."

With many Cowboys stars waiting at the bank to be paid, when could we expect some deals to get done? COO Stephen Jones hinted that more than one contract could be done this offseason.

"We'd love to do more than one (before camp) if we could," Jones said. "We've touched bases with everybody, knowing we're open-minded to it."

With Dallas having roughly $20 million in cap room which could balloon to near double when Prescott's new extension happens, many think the time is now for the Cowboys to lock away their young stars. But suddenly we can see reasons for Pollard to be "one of the ones'' ... and maybe Jerry Jones' off-the-cuff mention means Dallas can see it as well.

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