The Dallas Cowboys will franchise tag their star wide receiver Dez Bryant, according to NFL reports.

The franchise tag deadline is on Monday, March 2 at 4 p.m. EST. Throughout the last month the Cowboys were hoping to get a long-term deal done with Bryant, but were unable to do so. The franchise tag guarantees Bryant about $13 million next season. After next season, the Cowboys will still be hoping to re-sign Bryant to a long-term contract.

Bryant is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. His 41 receiving touchdowns over the last three seasons are the most in the league, and he's still just 26 years old. Bryant has also had over 1,200 receiving yards the last three consecutive seasons.

There is still a small chance that Bryant could play for another team next season. Because the Cowboys are using the non-exclusive franchise tag on Bryant, that means that another team can match that offer sheet and pick him up if they are willing to give up two first round picks. Extremely unlikely, but possible.

As for DeMarco Murray, the Cowboys are going to let him test the free agent market.

As a running back, Murray isn't viewed as valuable as Bryant to the Cowboys. Murray was fantastic last season leading the NFL in rushing yards, but he does have a fumbling issue, and running backs just don't last long in this league. There was a very high chance Murray would have got the franchise tag if Bryant would have signed a long-term contract, but obviously that didn't happen.
In the end, the Cowboys are choosing Bryant over Murray.

The Cowboys can still reunite with Murray this offseason. Murray has plenty of options out there. Many NFL fans believe he will choose either the Cleveland Browns or Jacksonville Jaguars because they have so much salary cap space available. Still, Murray could return to the Cowboys for a number of reasons. He knows the Cowboys system, and the Cowboys have one of the best offensive lines in the league. If Murray decides to go elsewhere, it's unlikely he will run behind as good a line as he did last season.

With Bryant locked up for another year and Murray most likely on the move, the Cowboys will most likely focus on adding another running back this offseason.

The NFL free agent and trading period begins on Tuesday, March 10 at 4 p.m. EST. Monday, March 2 at 4 p.m. EST is the last day for teams to use the franchise tag.

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