The Dallas Cowboys have the Super Bowl on their brains and for good reason. The team is considered a heavy favorite to reach the big game after defeating the Detroit Lions. Playing in Green Bay will certainly not be an easy task, but that is not stopping Las Vegas from putting the odds in the Cowboys' favor. Dallas is riding high off the success of some of their biggest stars who are playing their best football at the moment, but will that come at a heavy price this offseason?
The Dallas Cowboys are where they are in this season because of a high-functioning defense and improvement from Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray who has taken the pressure off Tony Romo week in and week out. It just so happens that both of those players will be looking for new contracts come the offseason and the better they continue to play, the more money they will be requesting from the Dallas Cowboys.
Bryant's contract demands are already too high, high enough to stall negotiations that were taking place heading into the season. Jerry Jones has made it clear that the Cowboys intend on retaining Bryant and have certainly offered him some generous contracts, but so far neither side is giving in of demands. Bryant told the media that it is a respect issue.
"It's all about respect. It's all about respect," Bryant said, via ESPNDallas.com. "I am a very loyal person, but just don't test my loyalty. I just know what I'm going to accept, and I know what I'm not going to accept. I've been here for five years. You know, it's not about the money. It's not about none of that. I just feel like a little respect should play a factor in that."
Bryant is a good example of why teams should avoid waiting to sign players to new contracts. The better their stats, the more money they demand. ESPN reported earlier in the season that Dallas originally offered a contract worth 10 years while averaging less than $12 million a season and only had $20 million in guaranteed money. Bryant will be demanding much more.
Murray is in the same boat. The running back broke Emmitt Smith's franchise record and understands his value to the Cowboys after his career-high season is what propelled the Cowboys into the postseason. Murray will be an unrestricted free agent and thanks to Bryant's contract demands and the current deal assigned to Romo, there is no guarantees the running back returns. The Cowboys will have to show some restraints and his demands might force him to the outside.
