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The deadline for teams to tag players is less than 24 hours. Three teams have already used the franchise tag: the Chiefs tagged left tackle Orlando Brown, the Browns tagged tight end David Njoku, and the Bengals tagged safety Jesse Bates III.
The cowboys have to make a decision.
They have no plans to use the franchise tag on starting quarterback Randy Gregory, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports. It would have cost the team $17.859 million, a yearly defense price tag.
The Cowboys, though, are “seriously considering” labeling tight end Dalton Schultz, Watkins adds. The franchise tag for tight ends is $10.9 million.
In this position, only Mark Andrews and George Kittle will earn more in 2022.
The Cowboys’ decision is complicated by Blake Jarvin’s hip surgery last month, casting doubt on his readiness for the start of the 2022 season. Also, the team is expected to part ways with wide receiver Amari Cooper, so Dak Prescott is already considering losing one of his key weapons.
Schultz has played all 33 games in the last two seasons since 29 and has 141 receptions for 1,423 yards and 12 touchdowns.
But their decision not to tag Gregory could be good news for DeMarcus Lawrence, the team’s other starting quarterback. Lawrence turned down a pay cut, questioning his future with the Cowboys.
Lawrence is scheduled to receive a $19 million base salary and $27 million against the cap, the fifth-highest cap in the league at his position. His release, if placed on layoffs after June 1, would save the Cowboys $19 million compared to their 2022 cap of $8 million in dead money.