Cowboys to use franchise tag on Dez Bryant if no long-term deal reached

Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said that if the team can’t reach a long-term deal with Pro Bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant this offseason that the team will place the franchise tag on him

Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said on his radio show on Tuesday that Pro Bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant will be a member of the team next season.

Jones says if the Cowboys can’t reach a long-term deal this offseason that the team will place the franchise tag on Bryant.

Bryant, who will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, is in the last year of his rookie deal and is making $1.78 million in base salary this season.

NFL.com reported earlier this season that the team offered Bryant a contract of 10 years, worth $114 million, but with only $20 million of it guaranteed.

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Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones seemed to confirm that by saying that the team has offered Bryant "some really nice contracts."

The franchise tag is average of the top 10 salaries at that position. The franchise tag number for the 2014 season for wide receivers was $12.312 million.

Bryant, 26, has 84 catches for 1,221 yards and 14 touchdowns this season for Dallas, who clinched the NFC East title with a 42-7 rout of the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

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