Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones remains optimistic that his team can reach a long-term agreement with wide receiver Dez Bryant. In the meantime, he's not concerned the rocky contract negotiations will hinder Dallas's on-field success in 2014.
Jerry Jones says Dez Bryant negotiations not a distraction
Jones spoke publicly about the ongoing contract dispute between the Cowboys and their star wide receiver, saying both sides are committed to getting a deal done.
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“It’s not a distraction at all. It obviously didn’t distract Dez, and it doesn’t distract us,” Jones said in a Friday interview with 105.3 The Fan.
Bryant looked focused during a 158-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London last weekend, but has clearly been annoyed by the contract negotiation drama that has recently flared up. Reports emerged last week that concerns over the star wideout's off-field behavior are scaring the Cowboys away from offering the type of contract Bryant deserves.
Bryant, whose current deal is set to expire in 2015, grumbled a warning of “don’t test my loyalty” when questioned by reporters earlier this week, a statement Jones responded to Friday.
“He’s a loyal guy, and we’re loyal guys. Of all the players that I’ve been associated with over the years, I’ve had a chance to probably have more personal interaction with Dez probably as much as with Michael Irvin in the 90s. We both have had a chance to show that we really work well together, we are loyal, and you can count on us ... We can count on each other to work it out.”
Jones would not say whether the two sides are making progress on the deal, but said he had reached out to Bryant’s new negotiation team. Bryant recently switched agencies, signing Jay Z’s Roc Nation to represent him.
“I’ve seen in Dez a commitment to come up with a common solution for his contract,” Jones told The Fan.
Bryant is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. If he hits the open market, he would join a loaded receiver group including Demaryius Thomas, Cecil Shorts, Jeremy Maclin, Reggie Wayne and Randall Cobb, among others.
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