The Cowboys are expected to include in any final offer to receiver Dez Bryant strong, broad language that would void future fully-guaranteed payments under a wide variety of specific circumstances. The Cowboys are expected to do that with Dez primarily because they’ve done it with other deals in 2015.
Most notably, first-round cornerback Byron Jones, according to multiple sources, agreed to language wiping out all future guarantees not only in the event of a suspension imposed by the league or the team, but if the player is arrested, incarcerated, or even detained by police. Also, any fines under the substance-abuse policy or Personal Conduct Policy would trigger a voiding of the guarantees, as would something as simple as missing a rehab session while injured.
One source told PFT that the Cowboys included similar language in other contracts signed by veteran free agents in 2015. In contrast, undrafted offensive lineman La’el Collins will have his guarantees voided only if he retires or if he’s arrested or charged in connection with the double murder about which he was questioned immediately after the draft.
Even though Bryant hasn’t had any off-field issues in several years, the Cowboys most likely will want the same protection that they got from Jones and others, if a long-term deal is negotiated before Wednesday’s 4:00 p.m. ET deadline. Don’t be surprised if the Cowboys make one last move from their current position on Wednesday, putting in front of Bryant an amount that will be hard for him to reject -- and tying any fully-guaranteed money before 2015 to the same kind of language that Jones accepted earlier this year.