Cowboys owner Jerry Jones mentioned during his weekly radio show that WR Dez Bryant “isn’t going anywhere,” per Charean Williams.
“No, we have the franchise — for sure. Not at all,” Jones said, via ESPN Dallas. “You’re talking about Dez? No, we have the franchise alternative — which I thought everybody was aware of.”
Dallas obviously has their franchise tag available if they are unable to get a long- term agreement in place before the February deadline to tag free agents.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported last month that the Cowboys are “far more likely” to franchise Bryant than RB DeMarco Murray during the offseason, so this news shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
The receiver tag would cost Dallas $12.321 million and there’s no question that allowing other teams to bid on Bryant could leave the Cowboys in a vulnerable position.
Meanwhile, it run the Cowboys close to $10 million to franchise Murray, which really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
Bryant has said previously 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 Bryant was reportedly a 10-year deal worth $114 million with close to $20 million guaranteed, but the contract structure probably doesn’t offer the type of financial security he’s looking for.
Bryant, 26, will be an unrestricted free agent following the season and he has solidified himself as one of the best receivers in the game today. He’ll make just $1.78 million for the 2014 season.
This season, Bryant has caught 84 passes for 1,221 yards receiving and 14 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. 4 player in our recently updated Top 25 – 2015 Free Agents list.
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