The Dallas Cowboys' offseason plans have taken a huge blow. On Thursday, reports emerged surrounding tight end Blake Jarwin's "uncommon" hip surgery, which could keep him on the sidelines to start the 2022 season.

Such an injury will heavily impact the Cowboys' decision-making in the next few days as they decide what to do with Dalton Schultz and the tight end position. Schultz, who took over the starting job after Jarwin's injury in 2020, is set to hit free agency on March 16.

A lot has been made about Schultz and his future. He was second in the team in targets and was one of the Cowboys' most reliable weapons in 2021. He's evolved into a consistent, productive receiver despite scouts labeling as a limited athlete during the 2018 draft process.

His stock has never been higher after two years of production. Currently, he ranks as a top-25 free agent per various media outlets such as PFF and The Athletic. If he hits the market, he'd likely draw interest from multiple teams. And he's going to cash in, too, evidenced by  PFF's contract projection of $13 million per year.

Schultz's projected market value and the projected franchise tag of $10.8M caused many to believe the Dallas Cowboys could very well move on.

After all, Jarwin's the guy they bet on in 2020 by signing him to a three-year contract extension. They can't ignore the fact that he's missed 24 games since then, but the trust is there. That feels impossible to do now that the Cowboys know Jarwin won't be available at the start of the season. Not to mention, his injury history has become a major concern.

What are the next steps for the Cowboys at TE?

First of all, it's about deciding what to do with Schultz. March 8 is the deadline to use the franchise tag and Schultz is Dallas' main candidate. The Cowboys could secure him at a lower price than his projected market value for 2022 and the tag would keep them away from a long-term commitment.

However, the salary burden of the franchise tag could motivate the Cowboys to seek a long-term deal. It's difficult to know if Schultz has convinced the Cowboys to go that far in regard to a deal, though.

There's also the possibility, of course, of letting him walk. Although Schultz has been productive, the Cowboys could roll the dice and try to fill in the vacancy with a less expensive option in free agency or even the NFL Draft.

This year's free agency class presents the Cowboys with options. Mike Gesicki (Dolphins) could provide them with an upgrade at the position thanks to his superior athleticism. But if Stephen Jones is looking to spend as little as possible (a frustratingly common strategy in Dallas), there are plenty of solid options.

David Njoku (Browns), Zach Ertz (Cardinals), Gerald Everett (Seahawks), and Evan Engram (Giants), would all be downgrading at the position. Yet they'd fill a need by providing the Cowboys with flexibility when the NFL Draft comes around.

The Dallas Cowboys have shown interest in the position by interviewing multiple prospects. This tight end class is expected to feature value in the mid-rounds and the Cowboys have met with three of Dane Brugler's top-6 tight ends.

Assuming the Cowboys keep Amari Cooper, they wouldn't even have to find a top-tier tight end to make this offense work.

While we await wondering who will be the Dallas Cowboys' starting tight end in 2022, the date to watch is March 8. Once we know what their stance on Schultz is, we'll have a better idea of the plan going forward.

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