Cowboys ‘leaning’ toward hitting Bryant with franchise tag
Although Pro Bowl receiver Dez Bryant has expressed distaste for the franchise tag in the past, he has all but resigned himself to accepting that is the road he and the Dallas Cowboys are headed down, according to sources.
The Cowboys and Bryant haven’t had meaningful talks since he switched agents, moving from Eugene Parker to Roc Nation, owned by rapper Jay Z, in November. Tom Condon and Kimberly Miale are the primary negotiators on the Bryant deal for Roc Nation.
The sides could get together at the NFL Scouting Combine, which runs through Monday, and resume talks on a long-term contract extension, but no meetings have been set.
But with the two-week window to apply the tag, which began Monday and runs through March 2, upon them, the Cowboys have little choice but to tag Bryant to keep some bargaining leverage and some exclusivity with the start of free agency set for March 7.
Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones confirmed as much to reporters on Tuesday.
“Right now we’re probably leaning that way,” Jones said of using the tag on Bryant, who is an unrestricted free agent. “But that doesn’t mean it won’t change. Just because we tag him, you’ve still got a negotiating period that you can sign him. We’ll leave all options open.”
If the Cowboys tag Bryant, they would have until July 15 to sign him to a long-term deal. If an agreement is not reached, he would have to play the season with the tag.
Bryant, a first-team All-Pro selection, was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl after leading the NFL with 16 touchdowns on 88 catches for 1,320 yards.
The franchise-tag price for a wide receiver is expected to be around $13 million, though the number won’t be set until the official 2015 salary cap is finalized.
The bigger issue for the Cowboys is how Bryant will react to being tagged. Although he expects it to happen, that doesn’t mean he will be happy about it. Bryant said during the season that he would be “highly disappointed” if the Cowboys put the franchise tag on him.
He has always sought the security of a long-term deal, especially one that would put him among the three highest-paid receivers in the NFL and include $30 million in guaranteed money.
Bryant showed some displeasure to the news of the impending tag via Twitter on Tuesday with his answer to a comforting fan, who praised his dedication to the the Cowboys:
“I wish They felt the same way but it’s cool.. It’s #business RT @FrankyGonzalez3: I love how dedicated @DezBryant is to the @dallascowboys”
The question now is how Bryant’s disappointment will manifest itself. He could boycott the entire off-season program, including organized team activities, and only show up for the mandatory minicamp and training camp.
“I think Dez will be a pro and he’ll play,” Jones said Tuesday.
Tagging Bryant takes the issue of his future off the front burner and allows the Cowboys to focus on what they plan to do with their 17 other free agents, led by running back DeMarco Murray, linebackers Rolando McClain, Bruce Carter and Justin Durant and offensive tackles Doug Free and Jermey Parnell.
The team signed guard Ronald Leary and tackle Darrion Weems, exclusive free agents, on Tuesday.
This story was originally published February 17, 2015 at 10:29 AM with the headline "Cowboys ‘leaning’ toward hitting Bryant with franchise tag."