Dez Bryant is taking a stance against the Dallas Cowboys and handing them an ultimatum. The wide receiver was forced into a one-year franchise tag after the two sides failed to get a long-term contract agreed upon. For the most part, Bryant remained quiet during team OTAs and minicamp, not speaking with the media about his current situation. However, that silence has ended and Bryant is making it very clear that the team either gets him signed to a contract or they will not be seeing him on the field for some time.
Bryant took to Twitter to say, "As much as I love football...on my beautiful babies...I apologize #cowboynation but I will not be there if no deal." This social media response comes after Ed Werder of ESPN reported that Bryant called team vice president Stephen Jones and made it clear that he was prepared for a very lengthy holdout if he does not get his contract which will certainly include training camp and could also creep into the regular season.
Dallas has until 4 p.m. Wednesday to get a new contract for Bryant done and right now it is not looking good. Dallas is struggling to decide whether or not to break the bank on Bryant with a contract similar to the deal Calvin Johnson signed which pays him $16 million annually. Bryant likely wants a contract very similar since that deal is what the market is at right now. The Cowboys could be trying to wait until Demaryius Thomas signs. ESPN.com is reporting he was offered a deal worth just over $12 million annually, but that has not been agreed upon.
The reality is that Dallas could be without their star receiver for some time. The Cowboys could be forced to sign someone off the market in order to help with roster depth. At the moment, Wes Welker, James Jones and Reggie Wayne represent the best of what the free agent market has to offer. It is assumed a few teams will take a look at them right before camp begins.
Dallas is already without their leading rusher of 2014 after DeMarco Murray left for Philadelphia. They are hoping that Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle are enough to get the job done in 2015. Without Bryant, their offense loses another piece of fire power. Terrance Williams, Devin Street and Jason Witten will be relied upon heavily once training camp begins for Tony Romo.