Will the Cowboys Sign a Free Agent Running Back?

A year ago, NFL running backs like New York Giants star Saquon Barkley and Dallas Cowboys standout Tony Pollard felt so screwed by the system – including the franchise tag of $10 million assigned to both – that guys around the league tried to put together a text-chain protest group. It went nowhere, of course, because the rules are the rules. And their union, the NFLPA, signed them up for this “screw job.” Now it’s about to happen again. In Pollard’s case, he’s focused on the Cowboys and the NFL playoffs, starting with Sunday’s visit from Green Bay.

In Barkley’s case? With nothing left to play for, he said he is “numb” to the idea of another franchise tag … and maybe another year with a bad Giants team. A game of Musical Chairs is coming. Tag Barkley and Pollard again? That’ll cost their teams $12.4 million this time around. Barkley is talking as if his New York run might be over. Related content “If it is my last game playing here – if it is – it was a fun six years,” Barkley said Sunday. “Made a lot of great memories, but it’s not like the last time I’m ever playing football.”

And what should Dallas be talking about? Maybe retaining Pollard. Maybe turning to less expensive options (including some already on the roster).

Both Pollard and Barkley are about to turn 27; that is a factor in giving out long-term deals to running backs. But is Barkley as a player superior Pollard? Or is Pollard’s “fit” – in the system and in the locker room – of special value? In a vacuum, we believe Barkley is “better” than Pollard. Maybe the playoffs change that view of Pollard, a quality player and a quality guy. But from the New York angle? Barkley’s “numbness” reads as “unhappiness.”

“They did it last year. So, I’m numb to it,” Barkley said of the tag. “I don’t have any feelings toward that at all. If you’re going to do it, just don’t wait until March 5. Just get it over with. If not, let me go. Simple.” We would suggest this: We bet if the Giants “let him walk,” they won’t want him walking to their archrivals in Dallas.