Dez Bryant skipped the first day of the Dallas Cowboys minicamp on Tuesday as he is still trying to force his team to offer a long-term deal before the deadline next month.
Bryant, who tallied 16 touchdown next season, decided to skip the opening day of the three-day minicamp because the Cowboys are remaining firm on their most recent move.
The Cowboys tendered a franchise tag offer to Bryant, which he needs to sign until July 15. Under the agreement, Bryant will receive $12.83 million salary next season, but the 26-year-old thinks he deserves more than the stipulated amount for franchise players.
Tom Condon, Bryant's agent, confirmed in an interview with Sirius XM NFL Radio that the Cowboys have not tendered a new offer that could convince his client to participate in upcoming team activities.
"The only offer we've ever received from the Cowboys was the same offer that they gave to Dez prior to the time that he played the last year of his rookie contract," Condon said. "Since then we've had conversations, but nothing regard to any negotiation. I think from their perspective they're looking at this year as a franchise tag."
Bryant recently told NFL Network that he will consider extending the holdout until the regular season even if it means losing a substantial amount of money. According to ESPN, he could lose around $754,000 if he decides to skip a regular-season game.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett told ESPN last week that he thinks Bryant will eventually join their training camp and he does not believe the hold out will extend into the season. But Condon reiterated on Tuesday that Bryant is not bluffing despite the fact that he is aching to play again.
"Would it be difficult for him to not be there for the regular season? Yes, absolutely," Condon said. "But nevertheless, he's maturing quickly and he's not the same guy he was five years ago when he started as a rookie in the NFL. He understands what his contribution has been and that he is at risk."
Condon also added that he has no scheduled meeting with the Cowboys and he will not seek one in the coming days because they still have until July 15 to study their options.
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