Dez Bryant is the leading wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys and he is ready to get paid like such. While he remains one of the best offensive players for his team, questions still remain as to whether or not he is one of the league's best wide receivers. Bryant believes he is and he wants a contract that reflects it. While preliminary talks have started, are the Cowboys willing to give Bryant the money he is demanding?
"Yeah, I deserve it," Bryant said, via ESPNDallas.com. "I deserve it. I feel like I do. I put the work in, but I let that kind of stuff take care of itself. It is what it is. I let my agent talk about it and give me some feedback."
Bryant will make $1.78 million in the final season of his rookie contract. The wide receiver has already stated that he intends on spending his entire career with the Cowboys, but just how much is he worth? The top wide receivers in the league right now are getting paid at least $10 million a season, if not more. Percy Harvin and Andre Johnson both have $20 million in guaranteed money worked into their deals. At 25, Bryant has put up some impressive stats, but at times has failed to be that go-to guy in both performance and leadership. Certainly Dallas has no intentions of letting Bryant get away, but how willing are they to give him the big money?
"I'm loyal to the squad," Bryant said. "I've always been. Me and my agent are going to talk about [a hometown discount]. We'll talk about it. You know, this is big. This is life-changing. Like I said, I've done everything asked of me, and we'll see what happens."
Wide receivers can only remain so loyal for so long. Right now, Bryant does not sound like he will push owner Jerry Jones for every penny that he wants, but if Dallas comes in with a lowball number, does he decline? Bryant is ready to win and getting traded to a team with some proven success could be more desired over cash.
There is also the rookie right under his tail that complicates things. Dallas was willing to shell out the money for Tony Romo, but will they do the same for a receiver that has shown immaturity issues over his time with the team? The Cowboys drafted Devin Street in the fifth round of the draft in hopes that he can help save the receiving corps for Romo. NFL Networks' Ian Rapoport notes that could complicate negotiations for the wide receiver who says he is the best in the game.
