Dez Bryant Reportedly Will Receive Cowboys Franchise Tag

Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones confirmed that the team plans on applying the franchise tag to All-Pro wideout Dez Bryant, thus keeping him on the roster through 2015, per ESPN.com's Todd Archer.

Archer provided the full details of the move:

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The Cowboys have to notify the league of the move by 4 p.m. ET Monday, which will guarantee Bryant roughly $13 million in 2015. The Cowboys will not use the exclusive franchise tag on Bryant, but a team would have to give up two first-round picks if Dallas chooses not to match an offer sheet.

At the NFL scouting combine earlier this month in Indianapolis, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he hoped the tag would be a "placeholder" until the two sides can work out a long-term deal with Bryant. Jerry and Stephen Jones had their first face-to-face meetings with Bryant's new agents, Tom Condon of CAA and Kim Miale of Roc Nation, last Tuesday.

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Bryant is coming off arguably the best season of his five-year career. He led the team with 88 receptions, 1,320 yards and 16 touchdowns.

One of the biggest questions this offseason was whether he and the Cowboys could agree on a long-term contract. The team always had the option to franchise Bryant, but that tactic potentially alienates the player.

Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPNDallas.com wrote a few days ago that the two parties were never really close to terms during the regular season, with Dallas tabling an offer that had $20 million in guaranteed money. Taylor speculated that Bryant was likely seeking something in the range of $35 million to $40 million guaranteed.

Archer reported: "During the season, Bryant said he would be 'highly disappointed' if he was given the tag."

Speaking to reporters at the NFL combine, Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said that Bryant shouldn't feel aggrieved by getting the franchise tag since he'll still be making a hefty sum in 2015, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

With Bryant locked up for 2015, Dallas can now focus on trying to re-sign DeMarco Murray or potentially finding his replacement. Fox Sports Southwest's Mark Lane reported that the Cowboys are expecting Murray to test free agency.

At the very least, the Cowboys will have one of their dynamic playmakers around in training camp this summer.