On one hand, it's unfortunate that the NFL season is over. Having no games to look forward to on the weekends is a lonely proposition for a sports writer. But on the other hand, the NFL offseason is saturated with juicy storylines to follow.
One such storyline is the looming free agency of star wide receiver Dez Bryant. One of the reasons his free agency is so interesting is because there is no guarantee he will be back with the Dallas Cowboys. In addition to Bryant, team owner Jerry Jones must also figure out a way to re-sign the NFL's leading rusher last season in DeMarco Murray. Rumors are that Jones is prepared to make Murray a Godfather offer, which may not leave a whole lot of cap space for Bryant. Still, it is the wide receiver's hope to remain in Dallas.
"Regardless, I'm a Cowboy," Bryant said. "But it is what it is. It's a business. I am a free agent. I'm very confident that something is going to happen, something is going to get done, and have these Cowboys fans excited for a long time. I'm a Cowboy at heart. It's Cowboys forever."
There are two realistic options the Cowboys have for keeping Bryant in Dallas next season. First, they could re-sign him to a long-term deal, but that will likely cost a pretty penny. Bryant finished this past season 12th in receptions (88), eighth in receiving yards (1,320) and first in touchdowns (16). He'll likely seek a deal that pays him as a top five or ten wide receiver, which carries an annual salary value of $9 million or more. The other option they have is to franchise him, though if they elect to use the tag on Bryant they can't use it on Murray. The franchise tag for wide receivers in 2014 was just north of $12.3 million, so that route doesn't offer much financial flexibility either.
Still, it would be a surprise to see Bryant playing anywhere else in 2015, even with Dallas' new emphasis on running the ball. Teams just don't normally let preeminent wide receivers go without a fight. Then again, crazier things have happened.