Doomsday101
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FRISCO, Texas – Decisions, decisions.
The Ides of Early March aren't unique to the Cowboys. Thirty-one other NFL franchises must make dozens of choices in the coming weeks that will impact their rosters in 2022 and beyond. But this year in particular, it seems like the Cowboys have an inordinate amount of significant decisions ahead relative to the salary cap.
With that, let's highlight four key dates looming on the NFL calendar and how each one specifically impacts Dallas over the next two and a half weeks:
March 8: Deadline to Issue Franchise or Transition Tag
The Cowboys actually have used the one-year, guaranteed franchise tag in each of the last five years -- twice on defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and twice on quarterback Dak Prescott. (Both got long-term contracts done in 2019 and 2021, respectively, before signing the tag.)
Will the Cowboys go this route again?
It's possible.
Dalton Schultz has been speculated as a top tag candidate for a couple reasons. First, tight end has the second-lowest projected salary at $10.8 million, the average of the top five salaries at the position. Dallas is facing a cap crunch, but that figure is a little more digestible. (By comparison, a franchise tag for defensive end Randy Gregory would be almost twice as much: $20.2 million.)
Second, the Cowboys have multiple question marks at tight end beyond Schultz's status. Blake Jarwin (hip surgery) is facing a multiple-month rehab for the second straight offseason, and Jeremy Sprinkle has an expiring contract. Jarwin and two-year veteran Sean McKeon are the only tight ends from last year's active roster who are under contract. Keeping Schultz, who set career highs in catches (78), yards (808) and touchdowns (8) last year, would be a stabilizing move.
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The Ides of Early March aren't unique to the Cowboys. Thirty-one other NFL franchises must make dozens of choices in the coming weeks that will impact their rosters in 2022 and beyond. But this year in particular, it seems like the Cowboys have an inordinate amount of significant decisions ahead relative to the salary cap.
With that, let's highlight four key dates looming on the NFL calendar and how each one specifically impacts Dallas over the next two and a half weeks:
March 8: Deadline to Issue Franchise or Transition Tag
The Cowboys actually have used the one-year, guaranteed franchise tag in each of the last five years -- twice on defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and twice on quarterback Dak Prescott. (Both got long-term contracts done in 2019 and 2021, respectively, before signing the tag.)
Will the Cowboys go this route again?
It's possible.
Dalton Schultz has been speculated as a top tag candidate for a couple reasons. First, tight end has the second-lowest projected salary at $10.8 million, the average of the top five salaries at the position. Dallas is facing a cap crunch, but that figure is a little more digestible. (By comparison, a franchise tag for defensive end Randy Gregory would be almost twice as much: $20.2 million.)
Second, the Cowboys have multiple question marks at tight end beyond Schultz's status. Blake Jarwin (hip surgery) is facing a multiple-month rehab for the second straight offseason, and Jeremy Sprinkle has an expiring contract. Jarwin and two-year veteran Sean McKeon are the only tight ends from last year's active roster who are under contract. Keeping Schultz, who set career highs in catches (78), yards (808) and touchdowns (8) last year, would be a stabilizing move.
Create Thread | Dallas Cowboys Forum - CowboysZone.com
