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Dallas Cowboys: Do they sign Dez Bryant long term?

By Dan Salem

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The Dallas Cowboys have a superstar wide receiver… sitting out camp because there’s no deal on the table. Does Dez Bryant deserve a long term deal, or do the Cowboys call his bluff? Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Check out more of the brothers in Seesaw Sports Debate on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

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TODD:

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is sitting out mandatory mini camp because of his unhappiness with his contract situation.

The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Bryant, which would pay him over $12 million for one season, after which he would become a free agent. However, the receiver has yet to sign the franchise tender, which is why he’s avoiding mini camp. He’s not technically on the roster yet.

Since he’s not yet on the roster, there are no fines pending, just missed reps. Dez’s camp has come out and said he is even willing to sit out regular-season games as he waits for a respectable deal to be offered by Dallas.

First, it seems like that last point is simply a bluff. I won’t believe a player would forgo all money entirely by skipping games rather than play for $12 million. But he only has until July 15 to sign the franchise tender.

You agree skipping games is a bluff by Bryant?

Second, whose side are you on in this? The franchise tag was made for this specific purpose: a situation where a team is disinclined to offer a long-term deal for whatever reason to a very good player. The team forks over a huge chunk for one year and the player accepts said chunk while approaching free agency.

Isn’t it kind of silly for Dez to be mad about getting franchised? Obviously if he gets hurt during 2015, there could be no long-term money coming to him, but that can be said about every player at every position every week.

Dez should “settle” for his $12+ million and come back to the negotiating table next offseason after not doing anything dumb or disruptive for 10 months. How about that?

DAN:

My personal opinion of the Franchise Tag is that it solely benefits the team. Yes the player, in this case Dez Bryant, gets a bloated paycheck for one season. But the team benefits most with added flexibility and negotiating power.

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The initial intent of the tag was well intentioned. But its use generally happens with older players who may not be able to perform at their Pro Bowl level beyond one or two more seasons. It prevents a player from forcing teams to reward them long term for past performance, while simultaneously rewarding that player for a single season.

Dez Bryant is playing his hand and playing it well. He is totally bluffing in regards to skipping regular season games, hoping to rile up the devoted Cowboys’ fan base and push the organization to come to the table with a long term deal. He won’t miss games. Doing so eliminates his best form of leverage for big money and a long deal in Dallas, performing on the field.

I’m on Bryant’s side, however. He has earned a big money contract and the Cowboys need him on their team. Bryant has become a face of these new Dallas Cowboys. He’s synonymous with Tony Romo and the offense, and Dez knows he is invaluable right now. The same can not be said next offseason.

Based on what went down with DeMarco Murray, I’m inclined to think the Cowboys will not budge with Bryant. They’ll negotiate with him after the 2015 season. Yet this is flawed logic. Wide receivers are the offensive stars of this league, after quarterbacks. They have longevity, unlike running backs. And Dez Bryant has shined at the highest levels. Dallas should lock him up here and now, otherwise another team with deeper pockets will steal him away.

Why wait? Bryant is going to get his money and is holding out because he wants to stay in Dallas. Playing hardball is one thing, but the Cowboys need to lock up Bryant today.

Dan Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also Lead Editor, Staff Writer, and Featured Vlogger at BuzzChomp and a New York Jets Analyst for Pro Football Spot. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Instagram.

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