According to Jason Cole of the Bleacher Report, sources close to Cowboys WR Dez Bryant have told him that they don’t expect to have a long-term agreement in place at any point in the near future.
Cole mentions that the Cowboys “don’t want to do anything right now” and instead expects Bryant to receive the franchise tag next year.
On Sunday, Ian Rapoport reported that the Cowboys still have concerns about signing Bryant to a huge contract due to off-the-field concerns.
Cole confirms that Dallas does in fact have some issues regarding whether or not they can trust Bryant to be “mature enough” to handle a large contract.
Bryant has said that he would not be happy if they used the franchise tag on him, but Cole doesn’t think this will be a major issue in the end.
The Cowboys’ best offer to the Bryant is reportedly a 10-year deal worth $114 million and includes $20 million guaranteed, which would pay Bryant an average salary of just $10 million over the first six years of the agreement.
This is a similar type of contract to the one signed by Cowboys LT Tyron Smith, who received a ten-year, $109 million contract that includes $40 million guaranteed.
In the event the Cowboys do in fact use their franchise tag on Bryant, it would run them close to $12.3 million for the 2015 season.
Bryant, 25, will be an unrestricted free agent following the season and has emerged as one of the best receivers in the game today. He stands to make just $1.78 million for the 2014 season.
This season, Bryant has caught 56 passes for 793 yards receiving and eight touchdowns over the course of ten games. Pro Football Focus has Bryant rated as the No. 1o wide receiver in the league.
We have Bryant listed as the No. 3 player in our recently updated Top 25 – 2015 Free Agents list.
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