It appears that one of the top running backs in the NFL could very well be on the free agent market sooner than expected.
That’s because Dallas Cowboys’ fifth-year running back Tony Pollard failed to sign a long-term extension with the franchise, opening the door to the 2022 Pro Bowler hitting the market once the season wraps up.
Pollard is under contract for the 2023 season, thanks to being slapped with a one-time, $10.1 million franchise tag, but that’s about it for the former Memphis Tiger, contract-wise. It’s worth noting that Pollard could stay with the Cowboys in 2024, should he receive a second, $12.1 million franchise tag during the offseason.
Tony Pollard Next Team Odds
With no long-term extension for Tony Pollard, FloridaBet.com broke away from Florida sports betting updates and compiled hypothetical odds on where he might play in 2024.
Pair of Florida NFL Teams Among Possible Pollard Landing Spots
Should Pollard not wind up in Dallas long-term, it seems safe to say that his services could quite well wind up being used in the Sunshine State.
That’s because a pair of Florida NFL franchises, in the Miami Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, are among our leaders to land Pollard during the next free agency cycle.
We list the Dolphins as the clubhouse favorite among teams besides Dallas, at +350 (or 22.2%), while the Bucs come in at +450 (or 18.2%), with Tampa Bay ranking fifth overall in the Pollard pursuit and could result in favorable Buccaneers Super Bowl odds.
Given Pollard’s level of production (gaining 1,007 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns in 2022) and the Dolphins lack of production from their backs last season, it seems like the two would be a perfect fit.
Seeing Pollard’s explosive, downfield running style paired with dual-threat quarterback Tua Tagovailoa would likely be a dream come true for Dolphins fans and would certainly increase the Dolphins playoff chances.
Still, Miami’s front office and the team’s fans will need a stroke of good fortune for such a dream to become reality, as the Cowboys could swoop in and offer the type of extension that locks up Pollard long-term at any time.
Given the lack of progress on such an extension between Pollard and the team during the offseason, it seems like there’s no harm in dreaming if you support the Dolphins or Buccaneers.
At the end of the day, it’s up to the Cowboys’ front office to determine how badly they want Pollard to don the star going forward, with a host of NFL teams likely hoping the two sides go their separate ways when the league enters its free agency phase next spring.
