4 Cowboys stars who could be playing final game with team vs Buccaneers

3. Dalton Schultz, TE

Anyone else get scared thinking about what the Cowboys offense will look like without Schultz? Playing on a one-year franchise tag after both sides failed to negotiate a contract extension in the offseason, Schultz is primed to hit free agency as arguably the top tight end available next to former rival Evan Engram.

It’s anyone’s guess what Dallas’ plans are for Schultz, but it doesn’t seem like the front office wants to doll out top-dollar to a tight end.

As of this writing, the Cowboys are projected to have $8.62 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap. That could increase depending on potential releases and restructured contracts (Ezekiel Elliott, anyone?), but the team isn’t presently equipped with the necessary resources to pay Schultz big money.

There’s a better chance Dallas re-signs Schultz to a long-term deal than franchise-tagging him again, but that isn’t saying much.

After posting 78 catches for 808 yards and 8 touchdowns last season, Schultz managed 53 catches for 544 yards and five scores in 2022.

Those numbers are incomparable, but you have to wonder what they’d look like if Dak Prescott didn’t miss five games, as Schultz’s production took off once QB1 was back under center. Either way, Monday night’s showdown against the Buccaneers could be the 26-year-old’s final game with the Cowboys.