Dez Bryant In Line For A Seven-Year, $100 Million Extension?

Mike Fisher of 105.3 The Fan reports (via Jason Cole) that Dez Bryant could end up securing a seven-year extension worth $100 million deal when all is said and done.

This would leave Bryant in the range of Calvin Johnson‘s record-setting seven-year, $113 million extension he signed with the Lions back in 2012.

Cole mentions that the interesting watermark in Johnson’s contract was the $48 million guaranteed he received. However, several people are now wondering how guaranteed money Bryant will receive in the end.

Earlier in the week, Fisher reported that the Cowboys are “very optimistic” about having an agreement in place with Bryant after July 4.

• Fisher added that the two parties are comfortable enough with the ongoing contract talks that they’re willing to take a break for holiday weekend.
• Dallas management is reportedly concerned about the negative impact that could be created by allowing Bryant to play out the year under the franchise tag while he leads a contending team, per Fisher.

It’s worth stressing that there is no agreement in place right now, and the team may not have an announcement prepared for next week, but it sounds like it’s at least a possibility.

The Cowboys and Bryant’s agent, Tom Condon, had their first face-to-face meeting in nearly four months last week.

There hasn’t been any reported progress between the two parties before this, so it’s at the very least a encouraging sign that talks could continue in the weeks leading up to the July 15 deadline to negotiate with franchise players.

Bryant previously threatened to hold out of Week 1’s game unless they were able to reach an agreement on a long-term contract. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that sources around the league aren’t buying Bryant’s threat.

Dallas used their franchise tag on Bryant a few months ago, which means they’re looking at paying him a salary of $12.823 million fully guaranteed for the 2015 season. A long-term extension would offer them some immediate cap relief, but all indications have been that the Cowboys are approaching this situation with a great deal of caution.

Bryant, 26, caught 88 passes for 1,320 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns over the course of 16 games for Dallas last year. Pro Football Focus has Bryant rated as the No. 2 wide receiver in the league.

We’ll have more regarding Bryant and the Cowboys as the news is available.