Cowboys VP: External Factors Have Slowed Dez Talks

According to executive vice president Stephen Jones, the factors standing in the way of the Dallas Cowboys signing All-Pro receiver Dez Bryant to a long-term deal go well beyond the confines of Valley Ranch.

While both sides say they want to get a deal done external factors, like an unclear market for receivers of comparable age and skill level to Bryant, have contributed to the delay.

“That’s a difficult one,” Jones said in a conference call with season ticket-holders this week, per the Dallas Morning News. “I think a lot people want to naturally assume it’s a Dez Bryant-Cowboy issue. I think it’s a bigger issue than that right now. There’s three or four young receivers in this league other than Dez that are going to be looking for long term contracts.”

While acknowledging that there are obstacles in the way, Jones reiterated that the brain trust at Valley Ranch are committed to making Bryant a Cowboy for life.

“No one has been able to really figure out what they think the market should be. I think ultimately we’ll get this done,” Jones said. “No one wants to have Dez long term involved with the Dallas Cowboys more so than our organization, Jerry and myself. Our goal is to get it done, get it done long term, so we can move forward and let Dez continue to make all the great plays he’s made up until this point.”