The Dallas Cowboys may not have Dez Bryant on the field for Week 1 of the season if the wide receiver does not get the long term contract he is seeking, as reports have Bryant saying that he will sit out the first game and likely holdout of training camp if he does not get a new deal after being hit with the franchise tag.
Bryant showed up to OTA workouts a couple weeks ago and that looked like a good faith move and a sign that progress was being made in contract talks, but that doesn't appear to be the case. According to Pro Football Talk, ESPN reporter Chris Mortensen reported that Bryant could skip the first game of the regular season if he does not get a long term contract from the Cowboys.
Mike Silver of NFL Media confirmed the report about Bryant from Mortensen and wrote: "It's not a rumor. It's legit." There is still a month to go until the deadline comes up for Bryant and the Cowboys to reach a deal, so in a sense nothing either side says or does matters until that date. Bryant has the ability to hold out through camp in the offseason and if he sits out week one, he will be giving up $752,941.17 in salary.
Bryant is hoping to get the Cowboys to agree to a long term deal and this situation has ramifications around the league. Demaryius Thomas and Julio Jones have contract issues coming up and they may not sign until Bryant does. Mortensen reported Bryant is "contemplating not reporting" for the first game of the season after communicating with "sources familiar with the negotiation strategy."
Losing Bryant for any amount of time is not great for the Cowboys, but this is so far on the horizon that it is not all that significant yet. The Cowboys want to keep bryant and there is a month left to get a deal done and deadlines can often make things progress at a fast rate. Bryant is coming in after having three great seasons, putting up at least 88 catches 1200 yards and 10 touchdowns in each of those years. Last season he led the league with 16 touchdowns and he is a key player for the Cowboys.
The team used the franchise tag on Bryant this offseason and recently executive VP Stephen Jones said that the team hopes "to make a push" to sign Bryant before the deadline in July. Bryant and the Cowboys have until July 15 to strike a deal and if that doesn't happen, the franchise tender is just under $13 million for a one year deal.
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