The Dallas Cowboys have a large amount of salary cap space they need to use heading into the 2015 season. After Tony Romo's contract was restructured, the team cleared over $12 million in space. While many assume that clears a path for a trade of Adrian Peterson, what will Dallas do if those talks go nowhere? Dez Bryant is hopeful that money goes to getting him a long-term contract.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has maintained that he is not worried about Bryant's contract situation. The team and wide receiver attempted to negotiate a deal prior to free agency beginning, but got nowhere forcing Bryant into a franchise tag. That did not exactly thrill the wide receiver who was expecting to earn a nice long-term contract. According to the Dallas Morning News, Bryant is sending a message as he skips the start of voluntary workouts for the Cowboys.
Yes, the workouts are voluntary meaning Bryant absolutely does not have to attend. However, it is speculated that skipping the workouts is Bryant's way of sending a bigger message. The receiver told ESPN that he viewed his long-term contract as a sign of respect and he would not be happy if a deal was not reached. As the Cowboys continue to eye a trade for Peterson, if the deal goes nowhere, could Dallas use the money for Bryant?
According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, there is a chance that Bryant could get a deal done this offseason, but several teams are waiting for the wide receiver market to set itself. Players like Julio Jones and Demaryius Thomas also need long-term deals and the respective teams are waiting for the bar to be set before making other deals. Bryant might have to wait longer than he wants.
Competition is reportedly high for Peterson. Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press is reporting the Dallas is one of the six teams interested in Peterson, but the first-round pick demand from the Minnesota Vikings might turn several teams away. Numerous NFL mock drafts have the Cowboys picking Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon in the first round while TJ Yeldon is favored in the second round. Dallas will need to determine if it is worth giving up a first-round draft pick for a running back hitting 30 or spend one on a younger back built for the future.