The running back market is a strange place these days. Once the glamour boys of the NFL, the guys who tote the rock just aren’t in demand in 2024. Word trickled out Monday about several teams who won’t be issuing big-money franchise tags to their marquee ball carriers, meaning the Cowboys’ Tony Pollard faces an uncertain future. The club reportedly won’t tag him, but given a flooded market, they also may be trying to keep him on the roster at a reduced price. On the topic of the ground game, we’ll also look at which promising college rusher the Cowboys may have insider info on.
Meanwhile, we’re keeping tabs on which rules the competition committee may be working to change, we’re getting ready for a new batch of combine superstars and mock picks, and we’re saluting a Cowboys legend for receiving a lifetime honor. We’ve got the odd reason Tyler Biadasz won’t get a franchise tag, the story on what the new salary cap really means for clubs, and a look back at one of the most questionable decisions Tom Landry ever made when he just couldn’t decide between his two quarterbacks. Here’s your News and Notes.
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As widely expected, the Cowboys will reportedly not use the $12.11 million tag on Pollard. Several other teams are making the same choice with their backs; Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler, Saquon Barkley, and Josh Jacobs are not thought to be getting tagged, either. There a slew of other name-brand ball carriers scheduled to also hit free agency that should make the acquisition period quite interesting.
There is the possibility that Pollard returns to the Cowboys in 2024, but just at a much lower price point than the franchise tag would have been. The general consensus in the organization is that he was getting back to his former self late in the 2023 season, and they believe he will be even better still by fall. Don’t be surprised if Dallas brings Pollard back and pairs him with a bigger backfield partner, perhaps a draft pick.
The Texas back, widely considered tops in this draft class, will not participate in drills at the combine as he continues to rehab a torn ACL from November. But the doctor who did the surgery says Brooks should be cleared by training camp. That just happens to be Dr. Dan Cooper, the Cowboys’ own team physician.
Offensive tackle is a popular pick in mock…
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