After months of speculation, it finally happened. The Dallas Cowboys and tight end Dalton Schutlz have made it to the July 15 deadline with no new deal in place. Schultz will play the entire 2022 season on the franchise tag.

With how the front office is with the salary cap, it would have made sense to prefer to go the route of an extension. Spreading his contract out and lowering his cap number for this season.

Instead, both of each side will stay on the opposite ends of each other.

Despite a desire to remain long-term from QB Dak Prescott, the future between his second-most targeted player and the Dallas Cowboys is in doubt. Even with a vote of confidence from head coach Mike McCarthy.

"We all have contracts. We all have these types of situations that they come about. Timing obviously plays into these decisions and transactions. Now, as a head coach, it takes you a few years to get used to it, but I think you have to learn to separate things in this world."

It was reported by Patrik Walker of CBS Sports earlier in the week that both sides were far apart in negotiations. With the likelihood that Schultz plays 2022 on the tag, and the team lets him walk in free agency. Eventually opening the door for rookie TE Jake Fergeson to take over as the next TE1 in 2023.

With no new deal in place, the Cowboys now have few options.

1. Try again next off-season for a new long-term deal.
2. Trade Schultz.
3. Allow him to walk in free agency and possibly lose him. Acquire a potential 3rd or 4th round compensatory pick.

His entire 2022 deal is a fully guaranteed $10.9 million. The same amount will reflect on the Cowboys salary cap for the upcoming season.

Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports