IRVING, Texas – Chalk this up as an important, though entirely unsurprising bit of news for the Cowboys this offseason – they're considering a contract extension for Pro Bowl receiver Dez Bryant, possibly before or during the 2014 season.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones touched on a number of topics in a radio interview with 1310 The Ticket on Friday, though none more important than the possibility of extending the star receiver's deal sometime in the next few months.
"As we do with any great player in our organization who's nearing the end of a contract, we start to look at it and see how we might structure something going forward," Jones said in the interview. "I think that's a possibility, yes."
The possibility of extending both Bryant and fellow Pro Bowler Tyron Smith have been major subplots of the Cowboys' offseason. Smith had the fifth-year option on his rookie contract picked up earlier in May, securing his services through the 2015 season. But Bryant is currently set to begin the final season of his rookie deal.
Bryant said Wednesday he felt he's deserving of an extension, given his production in the past few seasons, but he's content to let his agent handle the negotiations.
"Well, I just feel like it goes for any player," he said. "If you put the work in and if it's deserving, it is what it is and I'm just going to sit back and wait and see what happens."
There's no denying he has put in the work. Bryant earned his first Pro Bowl nod last year on the strength of his 93 catches for 1,233 yards and 13 touchdowns – the second-best touchdown total in the league among receivers.
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For his career, Bryant is averaging 73 receptions, 1,026 yards and 10 touchdowns per season. Averaging just his stellar 2012 and 2013 seasons, those numbers jump to 93 catches, 1,307 yards and 12.5 touchdowns, placing him among the league's best.
"As far as from the receiver standpoint, of course I feel like I'm one of the better receivers in this league," Bryant said. "But like I said, when it comes to that contract, I'm going to sit back and I'm going to wait and see what happens."
Regardless of when and where he signs, Bryant is undoubtedly due a big payday. Bears receiver Brandon Marshall, another of the league's elite at the position, recently signed a three-year, $30 million extension in Chicago.
IRVING, Texas – Chalk this up as an important, though entirely unsurprising bit of news for the Cowboys this offseason – they're considering a contract extension for Pro Bowl receiver Dez Bryant, possibly before or during the 2014 season.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones touched on a number of topics in a radio interview with 1310 The Ticket on Friday, though none more important than the possibility of extending the star receiver's deal sometime in the next few months.
"As we do with any great player in our organization who's nearing the end of a contract, we start to look at it and see how we might structure something going forward," Jones said in the interview. "I think that's a possibility, yes."
The possibility of extending both Bryant and fellow Pro Bowler Tyron Smith have been major subplots of the Cowboys' offseason. Smith had the fifth-year option on his rookie contract picked up earlier in May, securing his services through the 2015 season. But Bryant is currently set to begin the final season of his rookie deal.
Bryant said Wednesday he felt he's deserving of an extension, given his production in the past few seasons, but he's content to let his agent handle the negotiations.
"Well, I just feel like it goes for any player," he said. "If you put the work in and if it's deserving, it is what it is and I'm just going to sit back and wait and see what happens."
There's no denying he has put in the work. Bryant earned his first Pro Bowl nod last year on the strength of his 93 catches for 1,233 yards and 13 touchdowns – the second-best touchdown total in the league among receivers.
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For his career, Bryant is averaging 73 receptions, 1,026 yards and 10 touchdowns per season. Averaging just his stellar 2012 and 2013 seasons, those numbers jump to 93 catches, 1,307 yards and 12.5 touchdowns, placing him among the league's best.
"As far as from the receiver standpoint, of course I feel like I'm one of the better receivers in this league," Bryant said. "But like I said, when it comes to that contract, I'm going to sit back and I'm going to wait and see what happens."
Regardless of when and where he signs, Bryant is undoubtedly due a big payday. Bears receiver Brandon Marshall, another of the league's elite at the position, recently signed a three-year, $30 million extension in Chicago.
