Stephen Jones: We want TE Dalton Schultz to be ‘long-term’ Cowboy

Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz signed his franchise tender worth $10.931 million earlier this year but then watched the Cleveland Browns somewhat shockingly sign 2017 first-round draft pick David Njoku to a four-year deal reportedly worth up to $56.75 million with $28 million guaranteed in late May.

Schultz and the Cowboys failed to come to terms on a contract through the July 15 negotiating deadline, and the two sides can’t resume talks until after the upcoming season concludes. Per Rob Phillips of the team’s website, Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones seemed optimistic when speaking on Tuesday that Dallas will be able to retain Schultz’s services past the 2022 campaign. 

“We tried,” Jones said of locking Schultz down. “It wasn’t that we weren’t necessarily talking about a long-term deal. … Sometimes it’s just when you’re getting your hands around what this team is not only going to look like this year but look like in the future, then you have to play that hand that way. I certainly understand where Dalton’s coming from. He represents everything we want in a Dallas Cowboy, on and off the field. …. He’s an available player who plays at a high level.

“So it’s not that we didn’t want him on a long-term deal. It’s just about getting to the right answer on that. And I think we ultimately will. I think Dalton’s going to be a long-term Cowboy here. It just didn’t work out to get the long-term part of that figured out this time around.” 

As noted by ESPN stats, Schultz finished last season tied for the team lead with eight touchdown catches. The 26-year-old was second on the club with 78 receptions and third with 808 receiving yards. 

According to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, a second franchise tag for Schultz would cost the Cowboys $13.1 million for 2023.