FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys will place the franchise tag on tight end Dalton Schultz on Tuesday afternoon, guaranteeing him a one-year salary of $10.9 million in 2022. The tag will prevent Schultz from hitting the open market in free agency after the start of the new league year and will serve as a placeholder as both sides work toward a long-term contract. Dallas has until July 15 to sign Schultz to a long-term deal or he plays out the year on the tag.
Dallas is already approximately $20 million over the 2022 salary cap and when the tag is in place, additional space will have to be cleared. Schultz’s productive campaign last season and the uncertainty surrounding Blake Jarwin’s future post-injury contributed to the club’s decision.
Jarwin underwent hip surgery this offseason after being sidelined for a significant number of games the previous two seasons. With his availability now in question, tagging Schultz helped solidify the position group with a thin depth chart.
In 2021, Schultz had career highs in receptions (78), yards (808) and touchdowns (8). He became one of Dak Prescott’s favorite go-to targets over the middle of the field on intermediate/underneath routes as teams utilized a two-high shell against the Cowboys. Schultz took advantage of the opportunity.
Schultz, the Cowboys’ 2018 fourth round pick, had only seven starts and 13 catches in his first two seasons with a crowded tight end room. After Jarwin was lost for the 2020 season upon suffering a torn ACL in Week 1 against the Rams, Schultz stepped up in his absence. His workload increased in 2020 and 2021 as he compiled 141 catches for 1,423 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Dalton Schultz will be sticking around and donning a Star for the foreseeable future, but many financial decisions must be addressed regarding the salary cap. Teams have to be under the salary cap at the beginning of the new league year – March 16 at 3 p.m. Speculation surrounds veterans with lucrative deals that could be restructured to free up space. Dallas can restructure Dak Prescott’s contract, which would open up $15 million in space. Amari Cooper is likely to be released according to multiple reports, which would free up an additional $16 million.
