Fansided

NFLPA ready to charge Cowboys, Broncos with collusion

By Matt Verderame

Jan 30, 2014; New York, NY, USA; NFL Players Association executive president DeMaurice Smith speaks during press conference at the Sheraton Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2014; New York, NY, USA; NFL Players Association executive president DeMaurice Smith speaks during press conference at the Sheraton Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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The National Football League Players Association is ready to do battle with the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys. The NFLPA is reportedly going to pursue collusion charges against the two teams if they do not come to long-term deals with receivers Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant, respectively, according to ESPN.

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Much of this stems from a meeting that Bryant had with Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones, who allegedly told the All-Pro he had a chat with Broncos general manager John Elway about the contract situations. The NFLPA has informed both teams to retain all emails and all other forms of communications throughout the remainder of the negotiation.

If neither player can reach a multi-year deal by the July 15 deadline of 5 p.m. EST, the clubs can’t negotiate with them again until after the season. However, both players are eligible to be hit with the franchise tag against next offseason should Denver and Dallas decide to go that route. Each player would be paid 120 percent of their 2015 number, meaning an approximate salary of $15 million.

Both receivers are in the primes of their careers and are trying to get deals done with the teams that drafted them. Thomas has eclipsed the 1,400-yard mark each of the last three seasons and scored a combined 35 touchdowns, while Bryant has over 5,400 yards in his five years with the Cowboys. Yet, the teams have not made much progress with either player, potentially forcing them to either sit out or play on a one-year franchise tag.

If Bryant and Thomas play on the franchise tag, they will each receive $12.8 million in guaranteed money for 2015. Bryant has already been public about his willingness to hold out not only through training camp, but into the regular season. Without Bryant, Dallas would have an offense that lost both the NFL’s leading rusher in DeMarco Murray and an All-Pro receiver.

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