The notable extension given from the Browns to David Njoku is likely to have an impact on the tight end market going forward. That makes Dalton Schultz of the Cowboys a name to watch over the coming weeks. 
[RELATED: Browns, Njoku Finalize Four-Year Extension]
Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News details the circumstances surrounding the 25-year-old with respect to a lucrative contract. After two seasons of minimal production, Schultz has become a trusted target for quarterback Dak Prescott, and one of the top young players at the position. In 2021, he continued his career ascension with 78 receptions, 808 yards and eight touchdowns.
Those numbers made him an easy choice to receive the franchise tag in March. If he plays on the one-year deal, he will earn $10.9MM; while that would rank him in the top-10 in the league in terms of yearly compensation, the Cowboys have stated their intention of committing to him long-term. Schultz himself has reciprocated that sentiment, leaving many to believe that the tag will serve as simply a placeholder for a lengthy extension.
However, Watkins notes that there doesn’t seem to be the same level of urgency present on the team’s side regarding a new deal, compared to other notable ones signed by the likes of DeMarcus Lawrence and Prescott in years past. While he adds that “it’s assumed talks will intensify” as the July 15 deadline draws nearer, that news signals that a contract placing Schultz closer to the top of the TE market isn’t around the corner at this point.
“I let my agent handle all that business and right now I’m just focused on OTAs” the former fourth-rounder said last week. There doesn’t appear to be any tension between the two parties on the subject of a second contract, but there is apparently much to be done if they are to finalize one before the deadline.
I’d need to seed another year of this guy to make sure he’s worth it. Who heard of him before about week 6 of last year?
He caught 60 passes the year before last.
The franchise tag is turning out to be the bargain choice given the recent spate of skyrocketing salaries.
The NFL is putting the ‘average’ fan out of business. They’re going to find out that people will just quit watching…. it’s WAY out of hand. I mean if you have an average 6 year career and you make 15 million and can’t live on that…. that’s your problem. These 100 million dollar contracts are ridiculous.
I don’t think that you will stop watching – but only the overpaid non-essentials will be afford to buy a ticket to the game (and buy parking/concessions).
DAL uses TE different than most. Schultz fits the scheme so pay him. He won’t be the leading pass catcher but he’s the primary outlet-safety valve. Dak needs this player and Schultz states bare that out. Ferguson is a simular style player so I see DAL going back to run first, play action off that which was where the offense was most effective.
He’s good, but he’s not an athletic freak, and he pretty much reached his ceiling last year, so I’d be wary about giving him close to a top of the market deal. But since it’s the Cowboys, I’m sure they will anyway. $10m a year seems fair for what he brings to the table. So he’ll probably get $14m from Jerry.
He’s usable he’s not anywhere near great so I don’t understand why he thinks he’s worth millions….. but then this is the Cowboys and Jerra does LOVE to overpay mediocre players…..