According to Dallas Cowboys Vice President Stephen Jones, the team will use its franchise tag on wide receiver Dez Bryant before Monday’s deadline (via Fox Sports).
It’s not a surprising move by any stretch of the imagination.
According to NFL Media’s Albert Breer, wide receivers signed under the last-resort deal are due $12.8 million for the 2015 campaign. The franchise tag is a consequence of the two parties being unable to agree on a long-team contract for Bryant.
Jones had this to say in confirming the report to Mark Lane of Fox Sports Southwest.
“I still think that it’s probably, you know, would be a stretch to think that we would have something done by Monday and beat the franchise-tag deadline,” Jones said. “Looks like we’re eyeing a franchise tag on Dez, but certainly won’t stop us from working hard to get a long-term deal.”
Behind arguably the league’s best offensive line in 2014, unfairly criticized quarterback Tony Romo was finally given sufficient time to display his above-average skills. Bryant was a primary beneficiary of Romo’s renewed success, snagging a career-high 16 touchdowns.
The 6’2″, 220-pound stud is undoubtedly one of the top receivers in the NFL, considering he’s compiled an average of 91 receptions for 1,312 yards and 13.7 touchdowns over the last three seasons.
While using the franchise tag on Bryant won’t be the optimal decision for Dallas, it’s the correct one. The Cowboys cannot afford to lose that caliber of receiver, particularly when the front office is unlikely to re-sign breakout running back DeMarco Murray.
Dallas would have been foolish to allow Bryant to even test the free-agent market, and now the front office has reportedly given itself time to work out a long-term deal with Bryant should it decide to go in that direction.
Photo: USA Today