FRISCO, Texas – As we sit just about halfway in between the start of free agency and the NFL Draft, nothing new has transpired from the Dez Bryant situation.
While there has not been an official announcement, it doesn't even sound like Dez has met with either Jerry Jones or Stephen Jones about his future with the team.
But that could change by the end of this week. Reports have surfaced that Dez is expected to meet with Jerry Jones as early as Friday.
As of Sunday night, head coach Jason Garrett said he also has not met with the Cowboys wide receiver as well, and didn't sound like that was even on the agenda.
A meeting on Friday makes sense considering the Cowboys begin their offseason conditioning program on Monday.
Since the start of free agency in mid-March, the only official moves that might suggest the Cowboys are planning to part ways with Bryant is the free-agent signings at wide receiver, most notably Allen Hurns. The former Jaguars receiver signed a two-year, $6.5 million deal on March 26, just a few days after the team signed speedy free agent Deonte Thompson.
But Garrett wouldn't say one move actually corresponds with another.
"I have not met with Dez," Garrett said. "Dez is on our football team, and again, we talked about some of the moves we made at the receiver position, and they're designed to create competition there. We think that's going to help everybody on our team."
Garrett did say he expects the situation to be resolved sooner than later, perhaps even before the NFL Draft on April 26-28.
The confusion of the situation has even drifted over to the players. Speaking at the same Cowboys' Taste of the NFL event in Frisco, center Travis Frederick sidestepped the Bryant question as well.
"I stay out of it," Frederick said. "I don't know anything about it. I don't think anybody knows anything about it. We just go on like things are, and that's what we do. Whatever happens happens, obviously. I love Dez. I love him as a teammate, and I love him as a person. I wish him the best, and I just hope everything gets settled."
Bryant has two years remaining on his five-year contract he signed back in 2015. Next season, Bryant is scheduled to count $16.5 million on the salary cap, including a $12.5 million base salary. If the Cowboys decided to release or trade Bryant before June 1, they would save $8.5 million on this year's cap. If they decided to part ways after June 1, the Cowboys would save $12.5 million off the cap this season.
With or without Dez, the Cowboys still will have a crowded receiver position with the additions of Hurns and Thompson to go along with Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Ryan Switzer and Noah Brown.
