Akey Dallas Cowboys starter could sign a big-time contract with an AFC contender in 2023.
In a February 23 roundup, Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport projected that tight end Dalton Schultz could sign a three-year, $40.1 million, $25.5 million guaranteed contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. Davenport attributes Schultz’s desire to become one of the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL along with Dallas likely placing the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard as reasons Schultz will likely leave.
“We have already highlighted Pollard as a candidate to be tagged, so that leaves Schultz as the odd man out, especially when you consider that Bob Sturm of the Athletic wrote that Schultz is seeking a contract that would make him one of the highest-paid tight ends in the league,” wrote Davenport.
“I assume there is a number where Schultz makes sense, and I really like a lot of what he brings to the table,” Sturm reported. “It’s just that from what we understand, he wants top-of-the-TE-market-range money and the ‘top five’ range is still $14 million AAV (for four years is $56 million).”
Dalton Schultz Due to Earn Big Contract in Offseason
In Davenport’s projection, Schultz would earn a little more than $13 million per year. That would make him the seventh-highest-paid player at tight end for the 2023 season. According to Spotrac, Schultz’s market value is $15.1 million per season across three years, for a total of $60.6 million. That would make Schultz the second-highest-paid tight end in the league.
There’s little doubt that Schultz is a valuable asset for the Cowboys’ offense. Widely regarded as Dak Prescott’s favorite target outside of CeeDee Lamb, Schultz turned in a solid campaign during the 2022 season despite dealing with nagging injuries early on in the season. The 26-year-old produced 57 receptions for 577 yards and 5 touchdowns in 15 games.
While those numbers were a decline from his stat line of 78 receptions for 808 yards and 8 touchdowns during the 2021 season, his numbers took a hit partly due to Prescott’s absence for five games earlier in the season. In 12 games with Prescott, Schultz produced 49 receptions for 559 receiving yards. Projected over a full season with Prescott, Schultz’s numbers look a lot better at 69 receptions for 792 receiving yards. For perspective, Schultz posted just 2 receptions for 18 yards in three games with Cooper Rush at quarterback.
While Schultz is clearly a valuable security blanket, he may have out-priced himself for the Cowboys. If Dallas does decide to place its franchise tag on Pollard, they would be forced to sign Schultz to a big-money, long-term contract to retain him.
Why Dalton Schultz Appeals to the Los Angeles Chargers
Davenport explained why Schultz would be a valuable target for the Chargers, who signed former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to be their new offensive coordinator in early February.
“Tight end isn’t exactly a premium position, and the list of teams willing to spend upward of $15 million a season on one isn’t especially long,” wrote Davenport. “However, there’s a team that could offer him both a nice payday and another real chance for a ring. Gerald Everett has been OK for the Chargers, but he hasn’t been much more than that. Schultz is both a superior blocker and a more reliable receiver. Adding him to an already potent Chargers passing attack would put a smile on Justin Herbert’s face and help close the gap on Kansas City in the AFC West.”
If the Cowboys aren’t willing to pony up the money to retain their top tight end, Schultz could look elsewhere for a big payday.
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Cowboys Starter Predicted to Sign $40 Million Contract With AFC Contender