Tony Pollard Free Agency Prediction Sees Him Sign With NFC East Rival

Tony Pollard is one of many Dallas Cowboys players hitting free agency in March. The Pro Bowl running back just finished his fifth season in Dallas and was generally underwhelming with the increased expectations.

With the start of 2023, Pollard moved onto a more prominent role within the offense. However, his productivity declined as his snap count increased, going from 5.2 yards per carry to 4.0 and a total of 12 touchdowns in 2022 to only six last season. He hasn't proven himself to be a solid RB1 on a contending team.

But not everyone in the NFC East is a contender.

NFL Rumors: Tony Pollard Might Be Heading to Washington

Pollard is still a valuable offensive player. In a situation with a reduced workload where he can share the backfield rotation with another rusher, Pollard can still be highly effective as a dual threat. It likely will not be with the Cowboys due to their salary cap concerns. Spotrac projects Pollard's average annual salary in a market-value deal to be $6.5 million. That may be too pricey for the Cowboys, who will be better off finding a rusher on a rookie contract or draft one.

A team with absolutely no salary cap concerns is emerging as a serious candidate to land Pollard in free agency.

The Washington Commanders, boasting the most salary cap space in the NFL, could offer Pollard a lucrative short-term deal. According to Matt Bowen of ESPN, the NFC East rivals are the "best fit" for Pollard.

The potential departure of Antonio Gibson opens up a need in the running back spot for the Commanders. Pollard in a committee with Brian Robinson Jr. could help him get back to his Pro Bowl production.

Of course, the signing would also mean that Cowboys fans would immediately have to start cheering against Pollard. He's earned none of the long-term goodwill that Ezekiel Elliott did, and signing with an NFC East rival would only confirm that.

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