Jerruh Jones and the Cowboys Crew are very interested in signing receiver Dez Bryant to a contract extension - which isn't surprising considering the prodigious production he's had since entering the league as a first-round draft pick in 2010 - Bryant has 349 receptions for 4,897 yards and 48 touchdowns thus far in his short, four-plus year career.
"I have a lot of confidence we will. I think Dez wants to be here and I know we want him here," Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones said, according to Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News.
But could Bryant's issues - and his own ego - derail contract negotiations before they truly begin in earnest?
"I just know what I'm going to accept and I know what I'm not going to accept," Bryant said, per Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "You know, it's not about the money. It's not about none of that. I just feel like a little respect should play a factor in that. I love it [here]. I really do. But every day you grow. Let's see what happens. It's all about respect. It's all about respect. I am a very loyal person, but just don't test my loyalty."
Word emerged from NFL.com's Media Insider Ian Rapoport over the weekend that the Cowboys are concerned with Bryant's off-the-field behavior.
"This is a genuine concern," Rapoport said. "The Cowboys, I am told by multiple sources involved in the situation, do not trust Dez Bryant off the field. They feared - and they have feared for a while - that it will all blow up in his face, that a variety of small incidents will all come back to haunt him. ..."
Bryant has reportedly had police called to his home in six separate instances. He has a team appointed manager with him at all times.
And now, with contract negotiations the next step in the player-team relationship, Bryant has changed agents to none other than rapper Jay-Z's Roc Nation management team.
The switch to Roc Nation doesn't necessarily mean anything, but it could be another indication of Bryant's desire to build a superstar brand, not just become the best football player he can be.
"Well, Dez Bryant just changed agents, so talks may start off," Rapoport said. "This was their best offer to Dez Bryant: 10 years, $114 million. Sounds pretty good. Well, I am told only $20 million of that was guaranteed, only $5 million signing bonus, and over the first six years, he would make $10 million (per year) - not the salary of an elite receiver."
Despite his change in representation, the Cowboys remain confident that a deal will get done.
"What we want to do is have an agreement for the rest of Dez's career," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "To me, that says a lot about the concern about off-the-field [issues] if we want him on the Dallas Cowboys for the rest of his career.
"I'm real impressed with how he's evolved over the last several years, or we wouldn't be in serious contract negotiations with him. So I think all of that is where it really is, and I do look for us to get something done with Dez."
They have yet to reach an agreement though, despite the quality offers the organization has made.
"We've offered him some really nice contracts," Stephen Jones said. "We also have to respect his views on where it is. My take on those things is that they ultimately find a way."
Contract confidence or no, cracks - such as the concern with his off-field behavior - may have begun to form in the foundation of this relationship and could directly affect negotiations moving forward.
