Saturday is the deadline for NFLPA union members to vote on a collective bargaining agreement proposal sent to the players from the league last month. It’s not 100% known whether the players will pass it, but things are trending in that direction.
The backdrop here is the scheduled start of free agency this coming Wednesday. Teams also have until Monday to place the franchise tag on impending free agents.
The Dallas Cowboys are fully expected to do that with star quarterback Dak Prescott. They plan to hand him the exclusive franchise tag, paying the Pro Bowler nearly $32 million next season.
Despite this, Dallas has not made the tender official with about 24 hours to go before the deadline. The reasoning? Owner Jerry Jones and Co. are still working to hash out an extension with Prescott. The one issue here has been the lack of clarity surrounding the CBA.
This makes sense in that Dallas has another top-end free agent in that of wide receiver Amari Cooper set to hit the market. If the players don’t approve the CBA, teams will only be able to use either the franchise or transition tag. That would make it much more difficult to retain Cooper if Prescott is handed the franchise tag.
Let’s say for a second the union votes no, this would likely force the Cowboys’ hands as it relates to meeting Prescott’s asking price. They have reportedly offered him $105-plus million guaranteed.