Report: Dallas Cowboys to use second-round tender on Blake Jarwin, will tender Cooper Rush as well

Last week the Dallas Cowboys had conversations that will have a big impact on the team that they field in 2020 and beyond. The NFL Combine is a good place to do those types of things. One of the conversations that we knew about involved the representation for tight end Blake Jarwin. Entering 2020, Jarwin is a restricted free agent which means the Cowboys can pretty easily retain him.

It appears as if things evolved to the point with Jarwin’s representation that the Cowboys feel ready to make a move of some kind. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, they are set to place a second-round tender on him.

The Cowboys are likely to use the second-round tender on restricted free agent tight end Blake Jarwin, which should cost around $3.3 million, according to sources. The Cowboys spoke with Jarwin’s agent, Kelli Masters, last week at the combine about a potential long-term deal. Also, it appears the Cowboys will tender backup quarterback Cooper Rush, which would cost about $2.1 million. Both players were undrafted free agents in 2017.

Jarwin has the potential to be the top tight end on the Cowboys roster if and when the team ultimately decides to move on from Jason Witten. It’s possible that this could come as soon as a few weeks from now, or it’s possible that Witten returns.

Also it appears as if the Cowboys are set to tender quarterback Cooper Rush.

What does a second-round tender mean?

Restricted free agency is a bit different than normal free agency as, well, there is a restriction involved. You really only lose RFAs when you are fine with it.

When a free agent is restricted they don’t have the ability to hit the open market like a standard free agent. Tenders are also different as they involve the type of compensation a team would receive if the RFA did indeed manage to get a contract elsewhere.

Unlike an unrestricted free agent who can either re-sign with their current team or test the open market and go elsewhere, restricted free agents are tied down unless a team allows them to become an unrestricted free agent.

Teams have four different tender options they can place on their restricted free agent that usually keeps those players from leaving.

First-round tender: Free agent can negotiate with other teams, but original team has option to match any deal and will receive a first-round selection if it opts not to match the deal.

Second-round tender: Free agent can negotiate with other teams, but original team has option to match any deal and will receive a second-round selection if it opts not to match the deal.

Original-round tender: Free agent can negotiate with other teams, but original team has option to match any deal and will receive a selection equal to the round the player was originally selected in if it opts not to match the deal.

Right of first refusal: Free agent can negotiate with other teams, but original team has option to match any deal. The team will not receive any compensation if it opts not to match another deal.

Get used to more Blake Jarwin.

Update: 5:20pm ET

The Cowboys are not expect to exercise a tender on defensive lineman Daniel Ross, according to The Dallas Morning News.