Jerry Jones and Dez Bryant set to face off

It was reported earlier this week that the highly anticipated meeting between Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and wide receiver Dez Bryant would take place by the end of day Friday. They will meet to discuss Bryant’s future with the Cowboys. Throughout the season and post-season there has been a lot of speculation as to whether Dez will stay or if he will go. We all know he has had a lackluster performance the past three seasons. The last time he got over 1000 yards was in 2014. He’s also been seen on the sidelines yelling and having outbursts during games which isn’t good for morale and doesn’t make him look like a leader.

Bryant was the first round draft pick for the Cowboys in 2010 and is set to make $12.5 million and count $16.5 million against the salary cap in each of the next two seasons. By releasing Bryant, the Cowboys could save $8.5 million, or $12.5 million if he’s designated a post-June 1st cut, against the cap.

So, how will it go down tomorrow? Well, there are a couple of possibilities…

• There could be no change and Dez will stay and get all of the $16.5 million that’s in his contract. This doesn’t seem very likely to happen but it’s still a possibility.
• Jones could ask Bryant to take a pay cut and if Dez accepts, then the Cowboys will have more money available to sign needed players (linebacker, guard, o-line).
• The Cowboys could just say goodbye to Bryant and cut him.

The acquisition of wide receiver Allen Hurns gives the Cowboys a bit of a bargaining chip with Bryant if they try to get him to take a pay cut. Hurns accepted a two-year $12 million dollar contract with the Cowboys after being released by the Jaguars just two days earlier.

One must also remember that earlier in free agency, the Cowboys tried to sign wide receiver Sammy Watkins before he agreed to a three-year, $48 million deal with the Chiefs. They wouldn’t have pushed so hard to get him if they weren’t prepared to say their goodbyes to Bryant.

No one knows what the outcome will be from the meeting tomorrow but either way, Bryant will always be appreciated for the talent and skill he has brought to the team.