The Dallas Cowboys could have a very different looking offense in 2015. With salary cap struggles pilling up, the Cowboys have to make some tough decisions as to who stays and who goes in free agency. It just so happens that their two biggest stars outside of Tony Romo are in need of a new contract and Jerry Jones has no idea if both Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray can return. However, if Bryant does not get the money offer he is happy with, will he want to return at all?
Bryant has told the media that his next contract should be about respect. The wide receiver took a smaller deal in his rookie contract, but has no intentions of making the same move twice. He wants to get paid and rightfully so. However, the Cowboys are having a tough time getting a contract for the wide receiver. The Dallas Morning News reported that Bryant has already turned down one offer from the team. If he rejects another, is the franchise tag the end result?
Jones said on his weekly radio show on 105.3 The Fan, that if Bryant and the team cannot come to a long-term contract agreement, the Cowboys will use the franchise tag on the wide receiver. On his part, Bryant has made it clear that he does not want a franchise tag which is only worth one year and the Cowboys can expect a nice holdout from the receiver if that is the case. The issue is Romo's cap hit along with the potential of a contract for Murray has all negotiations stalling out.
"Is it possible? Yes," Jones said, via the team's website. "But if you just look at it from the standpoint of dollars and cents, it probably doesn't look reasonable ."
Murray has also rejected a contract offer from the Cowboys and is preparing to head off into free agency if nothing better is given. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the deal was worth four years, but Murray did not like the annual pay. The Cowboys have been linked to trade for Adrian Peterson, but Rapoport believes that would be tough considering his salary cap hit. The only way Peterson would come to Dallas is if he is released first. Marshawn Lynch could be an option if the Seahawks waive him. Mark Ingram, Knowshon Moreno and CJ Spiller will also be available at cheaper prices.
