Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas could be franchise tagged on Monday
Monday 2 March 2015 14:39, UK
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant looks set to be the biggest name to be placed under a franchise tag before Monday's deadline.
Multiple reports in the United States say Bryant will be kept by the team, which will mean the NFL's rushing leader DeMarco Murray testing free agency.
The Cowboys reportedly contacted Bryant's agent over the weekend - a move which ESPN Dallas has said will guarantee the player at least $13m next year.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said at the recent NFL Combine that he hoped a longer-term deal would be worked out in the future with the 26-year-old, who had 88 catches for 1,320 yards in the 2014 regular season.
The team's vice president Stephen Jones said: "He is probably going to get some peace and see what's out in the market and then we'll talk and see. I do believe deep down he'd love to stay in Dallas....We'd love to keep him in Dallas; just see how things play out."
Murray ran for over 1,800 yards last year, scoring 13 touchdowns, and he helped the Cowboys to 12-4 record, largely thanks to their form on the road.
They went on to beat Detroit on Wildcard Weekend and could have reached the NFC Championship Game had it not been for a controversial call against Bryant at Green Bay.
Other high-profile names who could be playing under a franchise tag next season include Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas while last season's sacks leader Justin Houston of the Kansas City Chiefs has already been franchised.
