NFL 2015: Updating the franchise tag players
This is the most talked-about of the four franchise tags, and it seems like the most likely to result in a long-term deal before the deadline. Bryant has put together an incredible first five years with the Cowboys since being drafted in the first-round out of Oklahoma State in 2010. To this point, Bryant has caught 56 touchdowns and has 5,434 receiving yards.
For days, it had been widely reported that the Cowboys and Bryant are very close on a deal, one that could come at any minute. However, Adam Schefter of ESPN says nothing is close at all, so it is simply a waiting game. Per the Dallas Morning News, Schefter’s comments on ESPN radio from Monday:
"“Despite reports that they think a deal could be coming down this week. Today, a deal doesn’t sound like it’s close. It doesn’t sound like anything’s close.” “A week from now? We may be having an entirely different conversation. Last moment, one side steps up, the other side gives in, they meet in the middle. But today, as we stand, I don’t think we’re going to get a deal with Dez Bryant.”"
If Bryant doesn’t sign long-term, he has talked about holding out. It will be interesting to see if Bryant would be true to his threat and actually miss regular-season games.