The Dallas Cowboys and Dez Bryant appear to be close to agreeing to a free agent deal heading into the July 15 deadline, as CBS Sports reports that the sides are on "the verge" of a long term contract and the total number could be over $100 million once the details are worked out and this comes as Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden are batting to start in training camp.
Bryant and the Cowboys have been working on a deal all offseason and recent reports have an agreement coming as soon as this week. According to Jason La Canfora of CBS, the Cowboys are "on the verge of a long-term deal" with Bryant and the talks "continue evolving" and "possibly" could conclude by midweek." Over the past week there have been reports that a deal is "close" between the Cowboys and Bryant, as the deadline to reach an agreement on a long term deal is July 15.
According to Adam Schefter at ESPN, while there is "optimism" from the Cowboys side that a deal will get done, there are still financial numbers to work out. Schefter reports that the guaranteed money in the deal could be a sticking point for both sides. Earlier in the offseason it was reported that the Cowboys wanted some off the field protections in the Bryant deal, but it has not been reported recently if that has been one of the major hang-ups.
Players like Demaryius Thomas and Julio Jones have been eagerly awaiting Bryant to sign his deal, as they plan on using his number as a negotiation point. Bryant could sign a one year tender if a deal is not agreed to and that would pay him just under $13 million for this season. Bryant has certainly earned the right to be one of the highest paid receivers in the league, as he has put up great numbers over the past three seasons.
Coming into training camp one of the main questions for the Cowboys is who will start at running back and it looks like Joseph Randle has the inside edge. According to the Dallas Morning News, the job is "considered Randle's to lose" this summer and as long as he plays well he likely will be slotted in at the top of the depth chart. McFadden is coming in after dealing with a hamstring injury this offseason in workouts and Randle was impressive in limited time last season, rushing for 343 yards and averaging 6.7 yards per carry.
Mike Fisher at Fox Sports Southwest reported earlier in the week that the sides are in a "negotiating comfort level" and that a deal could be announced this week. Fisher reported that a deal could be announced as early as Monday, but clearly that did not happen. Training camps start at the end of the month and leading into the summer Bryant reportedly threatened to sit out Week 1 if he did not get the long term deal he desired. Bryant comes in after making 88 catches for 1320 yards and 16 TDs last season and in each of the last three years he has had at least 85 catches, 1230 yards and 12 touchdowns.
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