The Dallas Cowboys’ voluntary off-season workouts begin April 15 at Valley Ranch Irving, Texas. Wide receiver Dez Bryant has yet to sign his franchise tag tender, which would guarantee him $12.7 million in 2015. Until he signs, he is not under contract which leaves him no obligation to show up for anything, including mandatory June mini-camp. Originally he had expressed a level of dissatisfaction with the franchise tag instead of a long-term deal, but he has been silent on the subject.
People on the outside may look at this situation and think: “its guaranteed money. How can an individual be upset with that?” It is a very valid question. But, as in everything, there are two sides to everything.
One viewpoint is that of the team’s. This tender prevents Bryant from hitting the free agent market and guarantees him a sizeable amount of money for the 2015 season while both parties continue to work on a long term contract. Obviously a team would not want to lose a player of his caliber. The Cowboys have until July 15 to sign Bryant to a long term deal. If no agreement is reached, he will be forced to play under the tag in 2015.
Dez Bryant has his own side to consider, however. In today’s league it is less about loyalty and more about business. While team owners and general managers must look out for the well-being of the organization (and the players understand this dynamic) football players must look out for themselves as well. An example would be a person with a degree or certification that is unique in a field of work that is sparse in qualified individuals. That person may apply for a contract job and the initial offer received is low. He/she knows his/her worth and asks for a more lucrative contract… one that he/she feels will benefit his/her long term goals and family’s life. It is not an unusual occurrence.
In a league where a player can be dropped after a significant injury, especially when on a one-year franchise tag, Bryant could be concerned about the possibility of losing out on a big long-term contract were he to suffer a season-ending injury.
If the wide out plays under the tag, it will be more than he has made in his first five seasons in the National Football League. He signed a five-year, $11.8 million contract as a rookie coming out of Oklahoma State University. It is apparent that it’s not about the money with him but is more of a sense of needing confidence in his place in the NFL and with the Dallas Cowboys.
“I’m not worried about that at all,” Cowboys’ owner and General Manager Jerry Jones told the Star-Telegram, “and it’s because of how much he loves the game, how much he knows that preparation, practice… all of that improves him. He’s at a time in his career where he’s physically still very much improving, can get better. The biggest reason I want a long term agreement with Dez is so we’ll have a deal with him for a long term – but not as far as impacting what we’re doing this year in terms of what Dez’s performance will be or what we are as a team. We’ve got that in place with the franchise. So I’m not worried. I know how much he loves to play football, I know how much he loves his teammates, I know how much he loves his team and I know how much money he’s getting. With all of that, you play.”
Placing the tag on their star wide receiver appears to be nothing more than a procedural move and really shouldn’t be viewed as a brush-off. Bryant would become the fourth player to be placed under the franchise tag by the Cowboys. Offensive tackle Flozell Adams (a five-time Pro Bowler), defensive back Ken Hamlin and defensive end Anthony Spencer were the others. This shows that the team is very selective in who they tag. Hamlin is the only member of that group who never played for the tender as he signed a long term deal before the season got underway.
Cowboys’ fans should stay calm. It’s not as if Bryant is missing training camp or the preseason. Those are both a long way off. Right now the owner is feeling pretty good about his star receiver’s status, even if he isn’t under contract just yet. That is a good sign.
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