DeMarco Murray (left) and Dez Bryant. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON – Jerry Jones said Tuesday that it’s “absolutely” realistic to think the Dallas Cowboys could bring back DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant next season.
Both players are in the final year of their rookie contracts.
On the field, Murray is on pace for nearly 2,000 rushing yards, and Bryant is on track for 13 touchdowns and over 1,200 receiving yards.
“There’s so many times that the question is more about evaluating what their future is on the field,” Jones said. “On the field. Talent on the field. Both those guys are young. Both of them are healthy. Both of them should have a significant career ahead of them. And that’s not always the case. So that far overshadows the fact that they’re playing so well right now.
“It’s not uncommon though for a player in his contract year to have a big year. But that’s not to imply that either one of those two in any way are impacted by that. The facts are they’re young, healthy and having great years. You want to dial in to that one. I’ll take the headache of trying to negotiate and fit them in the roster every day with that criteria.”
The Cowboys could sign both to long-term extensions or they could sign one and place the franchise tag on the other.
Bryant has already said he’d be “highly disappointed” if the Cowboys used the franchise tag on him.
“Very few of them want that, but that’s business,” said Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones. “Just as we understand, he doesn’t want to sign deals that we think are fair. Everything is business. He’ll understand business. And worse things have happened than to get guaranteed a whole lot of money.
“The furthest thing from our mind is the franchise tag. If you ask me about that, I know we have the use of it. It’s business. But our intentions are to sign Dez to a long term contract.”
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