The clock is ticking for the four remaining franchise-tagged players to strike multiyear contract commitments from their respective teams before Monday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.
Without new deals, tight end Evan Engram and running backs Saquon Barkley,
Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard would have to play on one-year franchise tags and wouldn’t be allowed to negotiate contract extensions until after the 2023 season.
From this group, only Pollard has signed his franchise-tagged contract, but he’s still allowed to negotiate a long-term contract before Monday’s deadline.
Six players were initially tagged in March, but quarterback Lamar Jackson and defensive tackle Daron Payne signed lucrative extensions this offseason.
A few more players could possibly ditch the franchise tag ahead of Monday’s deadline, but it won’t be easy for the running backs.
We examined the four franchise-tagged players’ situations and made predictions for whether they’ll get an extension, hold in or practice and play on the one-year tag.
Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants Prediction: Extension
Evan Engram, TE, Jaguars Prediction: Extension
Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders Prediction: Hold In
Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys Prediction: Plays on the tag
Pollard didn’t waste time signing his one-year, $10 million franchise-tagged contract, putting pen to paper in March.
It was a smart move for Pollard to sign, because it’s guaranteed money and he’s coming off ankle surgery.
Also, the eight-figure salary for the 2019 fourth-round pick is drastically more than his entire rookie contract: four years, $3.18 million.
But Pollard does have some leverage and could see a multiyear contract extension before Monday’s deadline.
For starters, a new contract for Pollard would create more cap space this year to add another veteran or two (Ezekiel Elliott reunion?),
and a smaller cap hit would be beneficial down the line with the Cowboys’ needing to pay Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs. Also, Dak Prescott is due for another extension.