The Dallas Cowboys and Dez Bryant have not yet agreed on a new free agent contract this offseason and with the deadline Wednesday for a long term deal, things could come down to the wire and it comes after a report about possible collusion between the Denver Broncos and Cowboys over contracts, while Greg Hardy saw his suspension reduced from 10 to 4 games on appeal.
Reports last week had Bryant and the Cowboys close to an agreement, but there has been no announcement about a deal getting done yet. According to Pro Football Talk, Mike Florio reports that there is "nothing going on" between the Cowboys and Bryant right now and it could lead right up into the Wednesday deadline. July 15 is the date that franchise tag players have to agree to a long term deal, or Bryant could be looking at playing on the one year tender at just under $13 million.
Fox Sports and CBS Sports reported last week that the Cowboys and Bryant "were on the verge" of signing a long term deal and that an announcement could come after the July 4 weekend. Mike Fisher at 103.5 the Fan and Fox Sports Southwest speculated a deal could be worth $100 million and predicted any holdups were likely about the amount of guaranteed money in the contract.
UPDATE ESPN reports that Dez Bryant has told Cowboys VP Stephen Jones that he will sit out camp and miss games without a long term contract
Earlier in the offseason it was reported that Bryant would consider sitting out Week 1 of the season if he did not get a deal, but Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reports that Cowboys will "are prepared to call his bluff". The recent developments in the talks include possible collusion between the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys. According to Pro Football Talk, the NFLPA is "concerned" about whether the Cowboys and Broncos talked about Bryant and Demaryius Thomas getting new deals, as both are currently free agents on the franchise tag.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the NFLPA has "suspicions" that two teams have talked about the contracts, which would be "in violation of the collective bargaining agreement." Pro Football Talk reports that sources have said one of the issues with the NFLPA and the collusion involves Calvin Johnson, who signed a major contract back in 2012 at eight years and $150 million. The report says that the "suspicions flow" from a "mutual rejection" of both teams of a deal in the range of Johnson's.
The Cowboys got some positive news on Greg Hardy, as the defensive end had his suspension reduced from 10 games to four games on appeal. Hardy was on the commissioner's exempt list last season for 15 games and he was originally given the 10 game suspension after assault charges against him were dismissed in court. Hardy has had 25 sacks in his last two full season and the Cowboys desperately need some help on the pass rush. Hardy reportedly did not testify in his appeal of the suspension and according to PFT, Jerry Jones said in a statement that the team is "looking forward" to "having Greg be a part of the team."
Check here for more on Dez Bryant and his contract situation and for more on Greg Hardy and his suspension.
