The Dallas Cowboys are coming off of a strong season and moving forward DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant are priorities for Jerry Jones in free agency, as they are key to the success of the offense and the team may have to ask Tony Romo for a contract restructuring to get it done, as they will have to find some salary cap space heading into 2015.
Jerry Jones spoke about signing both players after the season and admitted that it will be difficult, but that the team should have the space to do it. According to ESPN.com, the Cowboys have about $1.1 million to work with being under the cap for 2015 at their current standing and that thy can free up a large amount of money by releasing some players and restructuring contracts. Jones has made it clear that Bryant is the priority, but Murray is also a target and Jones wants to keep him as well.
Todd Archer at ESPN Dallas writes that if Murray leaves Dallas this season, it will be the choice of the Cowboys to let him go. Archer writes that the team has enough maneuvers they can make to keep both players, but they have to decide if it's worth it. Bryant's deal is easy: he is totally worth the money at wide receiver after the season he just had. Jones said that the team would consider using the franchise tag if needed, but he said that he thinks a deal can get done.
Murray is an interesting situation, as he is coming off of a career year and a record setting season, but with the RB position getting devalued in the NFL, the Cowboys may not want to tie up too much money there. Murray has some wear and tear on him after this season, as he had over 400 touches, and he had injury issues in the past. With Romo's deal so large and Bryant's looming, it could be hard to build up the rest of the team if Murray has a huge cap hit as well.
Bryant had a huge season with 88 catches for 1320 yards and 16 touchdowns and he has continued to develop into a star wide receiver. Jones realizes the passing game is geared towards players like Bryant and that is why he is the priority. Bryant has not missed a game since 2011 and he has had at least 88 catches in each of the last three seasons. Bryant has had double digit touchdowns in each of the last three years and over the last two he has increased his yards and TD receptions.
Murray also had a great season while rushing for 1845 yards and 13 touchdowns, but he was worked hard and that could lead to the Cowboys letting him go. The RB position gets beat up and Murray played in 16 games for the first time in his career this season. Murray will be the one to go of the two if the Cowboys can only sign one of them, as Bryant is more valuable at his position. The Cowboys had a fantastic season in 2014, but to get back to the playoffs and then the Super Bowl, some tough decisions will have to be made this winter.
