The Dallas Cowboys are in a holding pattern, not knowing which landing strip is going to be available to them. With the owners submitting CBA proposals to the NFLPA but no formal vote happening in the immediate future, one big sticking point that is paramount to the offseason plans remains in limbo.
Will NFL teams be able to utilize the final-year-of-current-CBA loophole when it comes to tagging players? In 2011 when the current deal was struck, there was language written in that teams would be able to use both the franchise tag and the transition tag on free agents. Normally it’s just one or the other. However with a new deal seemingly close for the last month, it looked like that would go away and revert to normal. According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, it appears with the franchise window set to open on Thursday, the league will move foward with the current CBA outline.
League source says of 2020 offseason rules: “Teams will operate under the current agreement until the new one is ratified.” Meaning, for now, you can use franchise tag and transition tag.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) February 26, 2020
The Cowboys, of course, have quarterback Dak Prescott and WR Amari Cooper at the top of their free agent wish list. Having both tags at their disposal would mean hefty one-year salaries, but the ability to retain both players without much of their consent.
It also means that if one or both get signed to a long-term deal, Dallas could use a transition tag on CB Byron Jones, another free agent likely to get top-of-market offers in free agency.
The new league year starts March 18 with players being able to talk to teams as early as March 16.
On Tuesday night, the NFLPA’s 32 player reps decided to present the league’s proposal to the full body, despite the executive council voting 6-5 to not agree to the NFL’s offer. The players’ council vote was 17-14 in favor, with one abstain. Whenever the players do decide to vote, a simply majority will activate the new CBA. That is not expected to happen before Thursday, and might not happen until after the tag deadline is closed.
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