Cowboys, Lufkin’s Dez Bryant agree to deal before deadline

After threatening not to train or play if they did not receive long-term deals, wide receivers Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas signed new contracts on Wednesday.

Had the sides not hammered out a deal, Thomas would have played this season under the $12,823,000 franchise tag, which still would have been about as much as he’d made in his first five seasons combined.

While Bryant and Thomas each got $70 million in total money, Thomas’ guarantee was a bit smaller-$43.5 million to Bryant’s $45 million. His previous deal paid him $15.8 million over five years.

Under the franchise tender, Bryant had been set to make $12.8 million next season.

Then the focus turned to Bryant, who scored 16 times last season and has the most touchdowns receiving in the league since 2010, when Dallas drafted him late in the first round after his stock fell over concerns about off-the-field issues.

The Dallas Cowboys signed superstar receiver, Dez Bryant to a long-term deal before Wednesday’s 4 PM EST deadline. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because Bryant had not yet signed the deal.

Demaryius Thomas inked a similar deal with the Denver Broncos prior to the deadline.

There were some reports leading up to the signing deadline that Thomas was willing to sit out some games this season if he didn’t get a contract.

Calvin Johnson of Detroit Lions, whose market price is $16.2 million per year, is currently the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver. As Blogging The Boys pointed out, just about everyone felt like Bryant deserved this deal.

In other words, the Cowboys had to fully commit just $23 million to Bryant and at the same time they were able to save almost $6 million In cap space that can be used on another player. The Dallas Cowboys may only use franchise tag a one player, and the team have selected Bryant over Murray, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason.

The most accomplished receiver behind Bryant is Terrance Williams, who has 81 grabs for 1,357 yards and 13 TDs in two seasons.

“I do have a good relationship with Dez,” Jones said during minicamp.

With financial security and his mother’s pending freedom, Thomas can focus on adjusting to new coach Gary Kubiak’s offense now. “We had a number that we had strategized over for probably weeks, and really getting our hands around how the number would affect us, not only this year but over the next five years”.