Cowboys Urged to Sign ‘Power Rusher’ to Potentially Replace Tony Pollard
The Dallas Cowboys may soon be looking for a replacement for starting quarterback Tony Pollard.
As suggested by Bleacher Report’s NFL staff, the Cowboys should consider trading Chicago Bears running back D’Onta Foreman in free agency in the 2024 offseason. With Pollard and VP Rico Dowdle hitting free agency next season, Dallas could be looking for a replacement .
Since Foreman’s strength is the power, he could be perfect for a team that will struggle in the red zone and short yardage routes this season.
“They drafted a good pass rusher in Deuce Vaughn last April, but the team could use a power runner like Foreman. This is a Texas native and former Longhorn, and while he won’t get much playing time as the Bears’ third quarterback this season, he averaged 4.5 yards per carry this season when he started on Sunday.
D’Onta Foreman could be a cheap pick for the Cowboys
Also, since Foreman has mostly played a backup role in Chicago this season, he could be signed. The 27-year-old is on a one-year, $2 million contract. According to Spotrac, his market value is projected to be $2.8 million next season.
“Running backs Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle are looming free agents — sure, Dowdle will be a restricted free agent — so Dallas will likely have to trade at least one of them as they look for deals on the open market. For context, Spotrac currently projects the organization to start the offseason season from above.”
Foreman has 4.4 carries on 65 carries for 287 yards this season. His own game started this season behind injured backs Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson in a Week 7 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, rushing for 89 yards on 5.6 carries, followed by two passing and receiving touchdowns. Most recently, he led the way with 20 carries for 83 yards against the New Orleans Saints.
Why the Cowboys could move on from Tony Pollard
Meanwhile, Pollard has been productive in a starting role this season. Since the departure of former franchise quarterback Ezekiel Elliott, the 26-year-old has 474 passing yards on 4.0 carries and 29 receptions — third on the team — and is seventh in the NFL with 149 touchdowns.
As well as mostly carrying the Cowboys’ rushing attack without a true No. 2 — Rico Dowdle is second on the team with 35 tackles — Pollard has also been durable, starting all eight games and playing 71 percent of the snaps. . However, he could also be looking for a big payday, something the Cowboys may not be willing to offer him. Dallas gave Pollard the $10.1 million franchise tag instead of signing him to a long-term deal after releasing Elliott.
According to Spotrac, Pollard’s market value is $6.6 million per year over three years, for a total of $20 million. While the deal isn’t excessive — it would make Pollard the 11th highest-paid in the league — the Cowboys could be looking for a bigger, cheaper and more efficient back in the red zone.
Dallas is currently 31st in field goal percentage and the Cowboys are 29th in red zone field goal percentage. The addition of a powerhouse like Foreman — 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds — could solve those problems.
