The July 15 deadline - the final day by which NFL players assigned the franchise tag can sign new long-term deals with their respective teams - did exactly what deadlines tend to do: it spurred action. Despite a whole host of reports and rumors suggesting that the Dallas Cowboys and Dez Bryant weren't just unlikely to finalize a contract, it was almost a certainty something wouldn't get done, the two sides ultimately took negotiations down to the wire and have reportedly come together on a contract that should keep Bryant catching passes from quarterback Tony Romo and terrorizing opposing defenses for most of the duration of his NFL career.
ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first to report that Bryant was on his way to the Cowboys facility around 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, likely signaling that a deal was near. A bevy of other reports followed, most notably from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, corroborating Schefter's initial tweet and advancing the notion that a deal was in the offing.
Rapoport added shortly thereafter that Bryant's deal would be for five years and that he and the team were busy "putting the final touches on it."
Rapoport then revealed just after 3 p.m. that the deal was for five years and worth $70 million. Bryant will also get $45 million guaranteed.
Check back for updates...
