The Dallas Cowboys were forced to give Dez Bryant the franchise tag after failing to agree to terms on a long-term contract. The wide receiver has been one of the most consistent performers for the team and Dallas was well aware he needed to stick around. Now Bryant is playing on a one-year contract, but the Cowboys remain optimistic of an extension getting finalized.
Bryant is entering the season on a short-term contract instead of the large, long-term extension he was hoping to ink prior to free agency beginning. However, the Cowboys can still get Bryant under a new deal prior to the July 15 deadline and negotiations are ongoing. According to DallasCowboys.com writer David Helman, the Cowboys believe a new deal is realistic once the market starts to set. The Cowboys are reportedly waiting to see what players like Demaryius Thomas and Julio Jones sign for before determining what Bryant will get. Several big names are looking to ink contracts and everyone is waiting for someone else to make the first move.
Bryant is more important than ever for the Cowboys in the upcoming season so they would be wise to keep him happy. After losing DeMarco Murray to the Philadelphia Eagles and only replacing him with Darren McFadden, Bryant is the playmaker Tony Romo needs. According to the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys are no longer eyeing a trade for Adrian Peterson. The Minnesota Vikings running back is begging for a team to pick him up, but his contract makes him unwanted. Dallas simply does not have the cap space to bring on Peterson regardless of what kind of talents he possesses.
The Cowboys still need running back help. They could attempt to trade for Matt Forte who may or may not be available with the Chicago Bears. He would be a solid short-term upgrade as he enters the final year of his contract. Stevan Ridley and Pierre Thomas remain on the open market. Thomas would be a solid player to sign for Romo considering his pass-catching abilities. The Cowboys are also predicted to take a running back early like Todd Gurley or TJ Yeldon in potentially the second round.