Dez Bryant Contract: Latest News and Rumors Surrounding Cowboys WR

After the Dallas Cowboys slapped the franchise tag on Dez Bryant, many wondered as to his long-term future with the franchise. The two sides continue to try and hammer out an extension that would see Bryant remain in Dallas past 2015, but a deal isn't coming easily.

Continue for updates.

---

Signing Bryant to Long-Term Deal Remains Cowboys' 'No. 1 Goal' 

Tuesday, April 21

DallasCowboys.com provided comments from executive vice President Stephen Jones, who spoke about Bryant's contract status:

"

Jones reiterated that signing Bryant to a long-term contract is the team’s “No. 1 goal” this offseason. Bryant is technically not under contract until he signs his $12.8 million franchise tag tender or negotiates a new multi-year deal.

That’s what we’d like to get done, and we have to be patient with that,” Jones said on the Cowboys’ flagship radio station 105.3 The Fan. “Those things don’t happen overnight, but when they finally do get traction and legs, then they tend to happen quickly. We’ll continue to work at that and see where we may progress as we go forward.

"

---

Simms Weighs In On Bryant Skipping Voluntary Workouts

Monday, April 20

Bleacher Report NFL analyst Chris Simms discussed Bryant's current contract situation and whether he thinks Bryant will hold out for a long-term deal:

---

Will Dropping Advisor Hurt Dez's Chances of Staying in Dallas Long Term?

Friday, April 17

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole discussed whether dropping advisor David Wells will impact whether Bryant's long-term future in Dallas:

---

Legal Dispute Halting Negotiations

Thursday, April 16

According to Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPNDallas.com, an ongoing legal quarrel between Jordan Siev, an attorney for Bryant, and David Wells, a personal adviser for Bryant, is impeding negotiations between the receiver and the Cowboys:

"

The dispute between Bryant and Wells is among the reasons the star receiver has yet to reach a long-term deal with the Cowboys.

In March, the team placed the franchise tag on Bryant that will pay him nearly $13 million this season, but the receiver has yet to sign it. The Cowboys want Wells to remain closely involved with Bryant, whether it's providing security when he goes out to clubs or in handling some of his day-to-day responsibilities so the receiver can focus on football.

"

Taylor wrote that Wells is not only a friend and confidant of Bryant's but that he's also helped to seal various sponsorship deals for the All-Pro wide receiver. Their relationship began in 2009, when Bryant was still a member of the Oklahoma State Cowboys but suspended by the NCAA.

However, Bryant told Mike Fisher of 105.3 The Fan in Dallas that the situation won't impact negotiations: 

Wells has a contract that runs through 2016 but would be willing to terminate the deal if he receives compensation.

The prolonged talks between Bryant and the Cowboys have been going on for months.

Stephen Jones, Dallas' chief operating officer, said in November that he felt the team had made very fair offers to the 26-year-old. Todd Archer of ESPN.com reported when the franchise tag was announced that the two sides were close on a deal last year before Bryant switched agents.

This will certainly be an interesting story to follow in the offseason and beyond if Bryant and the Cowboys don't come to an agreement. He's one of the best wideouts in the game and a key piece of a Dallas team that has Super Bowl aspirations.