Dez Bryant is working on a new contract with the Dallas Cowboys, but rumors about a video that contains an incident that is Ray Rice-like in nature could be holding things up, as numerous reports have started to filter out about the existence of the video, with Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio and ESPN's Adam Schefter confirming it is real.
Reports have been coming out about the video over the last few weeks, with Deadspin, Pro Football Talk and other outlets referring to it, but not explicitly describing what is in the video. According to The Big Lead, Florio spoke on the radio last week and said that the video is known to people in the industry and has been around for "a while" and that it could be released soon. Florio mentioned the video in context with Bryant's contract talks with the Cowboys and cited that as a reason why things have been held up.
Adam Schefter confirmed on the radio that he knows what is on the video, although he has not seen it. Schefter likely would not say this if it was not true, but right now there are no actual reports about what is on the video. Bryant has gone to social media to vaguely refute the reports and while he has not explicitly said the video is out there, he called out "BS" and said he no longer lets people take advantage of him.
Reports have started coming out that the video is being shopped around by "ex-friends" of Bryant and this could be some of the same people that the Cowboys previously did not want Bryant to be around. If they are out of his inner circle they are likely trying to make money and Deadspin.com reports that they would be willing to buy the video if it's being sold. The entire situation is an odd one, but with Bryant's history, the Cowboys likely will take things seriously, although they have denied any knowledge of the video.
Schefter said on the radio about the story that: "I've been working on this since September," Schefter said. "There's a lot involved." Schefter likely will officially confirms things when he can, but right now there is no story out there about what is actually on the video. Some rumors have it being worse than Ray Rice, which likely means abuse, but again, there is no confirmation of that. The Sun times (http://seattle.suntimes.com/nfl/7/72/695824/dez-bryant-video-released) has reported that the video could be worse than Ray Rice and that has everyone fascinated about what it could be.
Even before all this the Cowboys likely were going to use the franchise tag on Bryant and that could irk him even more. Ed Werder at ESPN.com wrote that Bryant did not want to be franchised this offseason and if he is hit with the tag, he will likely skip offseason workouts. The tag this year is around $13 million and after Bryant put up another monster season with 1320 yards, 88 catches and 16 touchdowns, he will be in line for a huge contract.
