5 bold 2023 offseason predictions for the Cowboys

2. Dalton Schultz lands a massive extension

One of the biggest questions entering this offseason is what the Cowboys will do with Dalton Schultz. He again hits free agency and last year, they were unable to come to terms on an extension.

Following months of back and forth, Schultz played 2022 on the franchise tag. Dallas tried to protect themselves as they drafted Jake Ferguson and signed Peyton Hendershot as an undrafted free agent. Each of them played well and while Schultz missed time with a knee injury, the offense seemed just fine.

Then when Dak Prescott was back from his hand injury and Schultz was at 100 percent, we were reminded just how good they are together. Schultz was huge in their win over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving with two touchdown receptions. He added another multiple-touchdown game in a Week 17 win over the Titans and in the postseason against the Bucs.

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For good measure, he had the only touchdown in their loss to the 49ers, giving him three in two playoff games. With all that happening, Schultz is now primed to make even more than he was last year, with PFF projecting a $58 million contract over four years.

What’s frustrating about the Schultz contract stalemate is that Dallas continues to do this. They try and lowball their players only to have to pay more later. They went from $17 million per season in negotiations with DeMarcus Lawrence during the 2018 offseason to paying him $21 million per season after a year on the franchise tag.

They learned nothing here as they hit Dak Prescott with a franchise tag in 2019 and the negations went from $32 million to $40 million.

Now, history repeats itself and while they tried to set themselves up for life after Schultz, this prediction is that they make sure to keep Prescott happy by finding a way to retain his favorite red zone weapon.