Dallas Cowboys: Dez Bryant’s fate to be determined this Friday?

According to a unnamed source, the Dallas Cowboys are scheduled to meet with underperforming wide receiver Dez Bryant this Friday.

The biggest unanswered question still lingering over the Dallas Cowboys concerns veteran wide receiver Dez Bryant and his future with America’s Team. Turning 30-years old this upcoming season, Bryant has grossly underperformed the massive five-year, $70 million contract he signed in 2015.

Averaging 50 receptions on 100 targets for 679 yards and six touchdowns for each of the past three seasons, Bryant’s lack of production has not matched his paycheck. Unfortunately, injuries and diminishing physical skills have made the former first round selection out of Oklahoma State a shell of the player he once was.

And now it’s believed both the Cowboys and Bryant are at a crossroads. Dallas’ pursuit of wide receiver Sammy Watkins during free agency last month at least proves the team is ready to move on from their top receiver if need be. The signing of free agents like Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson give the team options beyond Bryant as well.

Throw in the likelihood that the Cowboys could select a wide receiver high in the upcoming NFL draft, and all signs point to Bryant having a very short shelf life in Big D.

Yet, despite months of talk and speculation, the Cowboys have not sat down with Bryant and discussed his future with the team. And more specifically, his contract.

Would Bryant take a pay cut to stay in Dallas? Would the Cowboys even offer him one and simply release him? Or would both sides keep the status quo and let things remain untouched for another season?

Well, it appears we are closer to an answer than ever. According to a source closed to 105.3 The Fan’s G-Bag Nation, the Cowboys are scheduled to meet with Bryant this Friday, presumably to discuss his future. The timing of the alleged meeting certainly makes sense as the Cowboys’ will hold their first official workouts starting next week. And if Bryant were injured during this time, Dallas would be on the hook to pay his full $16.5 million cap number.

Next: Why Dak Prescott will prove his doubters wrong in 2018

I think it’s safe to assume the Dallas Cowboys would love to keep Dez Bryant on their roster, but not at his current price tag. And with the flood of money being offered to veterans wide outs via free agency this offseason, Bryant could easily elect to stand pat and refuse to take a pay cut. This rumored meeting could easily end up being a stalemate having long-lasting repercussions for both sides.