Cowboys Place Franchise Tag On Dez Bryant
DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) -- With the deadline approaching, the Dallas Cowboys have officially placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Dez Bryant.
Should the Cowboys not sign Bryant to a long-term deal before the July 15 deadline, Bryant will play the 2015 season at a salary of $12.823 million. That number became official Monday as the NFL announced that the salary cap will increase by $10 million to $143.28 million for the 2015 season.
NFL Salary Cap Increases To Over $143 Million
COO Stephen Jones confirmed to 105.3 The Fan that the team used the non-exclusive tag on its star receiver. Under the non-exclusive tag, Bryant is free to negotiate with other NFL teams, though Dallas has the right to match any offer. Should Dallas choose not to match any offer, that team surrenders two first round picks to the Cowboys.
105.3 The Fan's Mike Fisher says the use of the non-exclusive tag could instead express optimism that a deal will get done by the negotiating deadline.
"We just don't want to lose his rights," said Jones. "We think Dez is a unique player and certainly a big part of what we do in terms of what we've done, our success, and certainly going forward. We've got a long period of time there where we can work, continue to work on doing something long term for Dez."
Should Bryant play the 2015 season under the tag, the team and Bryant cannot strike a long-term deal until after the season. Dallas would also have the option of franchising Dez for a second consecutive season.
Denver Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas was also franchised on Monday.
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