Cowboys: What Dalton Schultz franchise tag means for Randy Gregory

Because the Dallas Cowboys chose to franchise tag tight end Dalton Schultz, they won’t be able to franchise tag defensive end Randy Gregory. 

While the NFL franchise tag can be a useful tool to keep a valuable player without working out a complicated multi-year deal, there’s one problem with it: it can only be used on one player.

That player could have been defensive end Randy Gregory, but instead, the Cowboys chose to franchise tag tight end Dalton Schultz.

Cowboys expected to franchise tag Dalton Schultz over Randy Gregory

Now, the Cowboys can keep Schultz for another year as the team hopes to work out a future long-term deal. Unfortunately for Gregory, the franchise tag is no longer an option to keep him in Dallas.

But according to Sports Illustrated, Jerry Jones still hopes to find a way to keep Randy Gregory in Dallas. Sources revealed that Jones is “hopeful of a ‘hometown discount’ from Gregory once the two sides get serious about a long-term contract.”

Gregory has been in Dallas since 2015, when the Cowboys selected him in the second round of the NFL Draft. However, the 29-year-old defensive end hasn’t played much over the course of his NFL career, as his story greatly resembles that of Josh Gordon. Gregory has been suspended by the NFL for multiple season due to repeated violations of its substance abuse policy. In the past, Gregory has signed minimal one-year extensions to keep him on the team.

While the lack of commitment may make sense for Jones, Gregory could suffer if he chooses to stay with the Cowboys. Gregory hasn’t violated the substance abuse policy since 2019, and last season, he started to show why he was worth that second-round pick all those years ago. Without the franchise tag payment, Gregory could explore other options in the league.

Whether the Cowboys do work out a deal with Gregory or not, what’s clear is that they’re more willing to pay for Schultz at market value than Gregory.