Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz. Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Could top Cowboys free agent reunite with Kellen Moore?

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 2/26/23

It remains to be seen how serious the Dallas Cowboys are about re-signing free agent tight end Dalton Schultz.

If the Cowboys part ways with the 26-year-old, ESPN’s Matt Bowen believes he could find a new home with former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and the Los Angeles Chargers.

“Some roster cuts are anticipated in L.A., which will help the team out with the cap — and maybe open the door for Schultz to play for Kellen Moore, his former offensive coordinator in Dallas,” Bowen said. “In Moore’s system, Schultz could be used as a seam stretcher for quarterback Justin Herbert, with catch-and-run opportunities on play-action and boot. His regular-season production in 2022 was slowed by a knee injury, but the tight end logged 12 receptions for 122 yards and three touchdowns in the Cowboys’ two playoff games.”

The #Cowboys aren't expected to tag TE Dalton Schultz, according to @MattVerderame

Schultz received the tag last year, paying him $10.9 million.

He should be one of the top free-agents on the market. pic.twitter.com/MV2jBO6J1r
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 22, 2023

Schultz’s projected market value is $15.1M per year, according to Spotrac, so L.A. would need to clear some serious cap space to make a run at the former Stanford Cardinal.

Current starting tight end Gerald Everett, who’s in the final year of his contract, could be a cap casualty as cutting him would free up $4.25M. Everett is 28 and coming off a career year in which he recorded 58 receptions, 555 yards and four touchdowns.

I mean Dalton Schultz is 100% going to be a Charger right?
— Connor Livesay (@ConnorNFLDraft) January 30, 2023

The only other tight ends Los Angeles has under contract in 2023 are Hunter Kampmoyer, Tre’ McKitty and Stone Smartt. The trio have a combined 20 receptions and 134 yards between them.

However, Schultz would present a clear upgrade at the position. The 6-foot-5 tight end thrived the last three seasons under Moore’s guidance, recording 57 or more receptions and 575 or more yards each year. He had his best season in 2021, catching 78 passes on 104 targets for 808 yards and eight touchdowns.

More must-reads: