The question begs who is the real Dez Bryant?
If you believe that all of Dez Bryant’s off the field issues and emotional problems are in the past, then you wouldn’t hesitate to make him one of the highest paid wide receivers in the NFL.
If you believe there is still a ticking time bomb lurking just under the surface that could blow at any time, then you would want to structure a contract to make sure if that happens you are protected.
If you believe this report from Yahoo Sports the Cowboys are thinking the latter.
Dallas Cowboys management has significant concerns about giving star wideout Dez Bryant a massive guarantee in a long-term contract based, in part, on off-field concerns with Bryant, multiple league sources told Yahoo Sports.
The Cowboys have assisted Bryant in dealing with anger management and related issues, including setting up sessions with behavioral specialists and therapists, according to sources familiar with the team’s efforts and thinking. According to multiple sources, the Cowboys have made a number of contract offers to the wide receiver that provided him with meaningful financial guarantees, while providing protections for themselves if any off-field issues came to affect his ability to perform on the field.
According to Yahoo, Bryant wants Calvin Johnson type guarantees (almost $50 million) that is a lot to invest into a wide receiver (even the Lions might have to move or cut Megatron because of his contract).
Bryant’s patience is wearing thin, but the Cowboys seem to be in no hurry, will be very interesting to see how this plays out.