The Dallas Cowboys are facing a crucial decision as the NFL offseason kicks into high gear. With free agency looming, the Cowboys must determine if any of their players are worthy of being tagged with the franchise tag for the 2024 season. However, it seems unlikely that they will use the franchise tag this time around.
The franchise tag allows teams to retain a player by offering them a one-year contract at a predetermined salary. In the case of running back Tony Pollard, he was tagged in 2023 at a cost of $10.1 million against the salary cap. Tagging him again in 2024 would cost the Cowboys roughly $12.12 million, a hefty price to pay considering the other options available to head coach Mike McCarthy.
In the past, the Cowboys have used the franchise tag on cornerstone players such as DeMarcus Lawrence and Dak Prescott. However, neither player went on to play under the second tag. Looking at the list of players heading towards free agency, it doesn’t appear that the Cowboys are in dire straits at any position. While several players are worthy of being re-signed, it’s unlikely that the team feels they are without options.
The list of players includes defensive backs Stephon Gilmore, Jourdan Lewis, Jayron Kearse, C.J. Goodwin, and Noah Igbinoghene; offensive linemen Tyron Smith, Chuma Edoga, and Tyler Biadasz; tight end Sean McKeon; running backs Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle; defensive linemen Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., Johnathan Hankins, and Neville Gallimore; and specialist Trent Sieg.
While some of these players may be re-signed, it’s unlikely that the Cowboys will commit to a fully-guaranteed franchise tag. Additionally, Dowdle being a restricted free agent gives the Cowboys more flexibility in negotiating with him.
The projected payouts for each position under the franchise tag are as follows: quarterback ($36.3 million), linebacker ($22.8 million), defensive tackle ($20.9 million), wide receiver ($20.7 million), defensive end ($20.2 million), offensive lineman ($19.9 million), cornerback ($18.8 million), safety ($16.2 million), tight end ($12.1 million), and running back ($11.3 million for the first tag).
Given these numbers, it’s clear why the Cowboys are unlikely to use the franchise tag. It simply doesn’t make financial sense for them to do so. Instead, they will likely negotiate with each player individually, taking a more traditional approach.
It’s important to understand the difference between an exclusive and non-exclusive franchise tag. An exclusive tag means a player cannot negotiate with other teams, while a non-exclusive tag allows negotiations but gives the Cowboys the option to match the highest offer and receive two first-round picks if they choose not to. However, it’s highly improbable that another team would be willing to part with two first-round picks for any of the Cowboys’ free agents.
In conclusion, the Dallas Cowboys are unlikely to use the franchise tag in the 2024 offseason. With a long list of players heading towards free agency, it’s clear that the team has options at each position. Instead of relying on the franchise tag, they will negotiate with each player individually. This approach makes more financial sense and allows for more flexibility in building the roster for the upcoming season.