Dez Bryant is being forced to play the waiting game alongside Julio Jones, Demaryius Thomas and AJ Green. The market has yet to be set for elite wide receivers and until one team makes the first move, everyone is left in limbo. While Jones and Green have reported for practice, both Bryant and Thomas have been a holdout after being forced into a franchise tag. The Dallas Cowboys continue to say they remain hopeful a deal with Bryant will get done, but that seems unlikely.
According to Todd Archer of ESPN, the Dallas Cowboys are unlikely to get a contract done for Bryant by July 15. Right now the wide receiver is preparing to play the season on a one-year deal that is worth $12.823 million. He wants the long-term contract which would be pleasing to Bryant while also helping the Cowboys' cap situation. If the team were to add any players to the roster, they could only offer minimum deals at their current cap space. However, a long-term deal for Bryant frees up money.
Archer reports that Jerry Jones and company want to do a "team friendly" contract with Bryant It is unclear what that means, but the wide receiver has already turned down one purposed contract and will not hesitate to do it again. If the Cowboys cannot get a deal done with Bryant they could easily tag him again next season. However, by then the market could be set as the Falcons and Bengals would like to avoid the franchise tag situation for their players.
The waiting game with Bryant is hurting Dallas' ability to add other players. According to ESPN's John Clayton, the Cowboys are a potential landing spot for Ray Rice. The reviews on Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle have been a mixed bag. McFadden is nursing a hamstring injury while Randle has been inconsistent. Last season, the run game saved Dallas. They need it to be just as productive in 2015 and those two running backs might not be the players to get it done.
According to the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys are more likely to sign a veteran for cheap than bring on Rice. Team vice president Stephen Jones told the media that the Cowboys have a short list of players they will consider which likely includes Chris Johnson, Ben Tate, Steven Jackson and potentially Felix Jones. Rice was not mentioned. He is the best rusher available, but the baggage attached to him overshadows that.
