A sense of urgency and a positive relationship between the Dallas Cowboys' brass and Dez Bryant's agent, Eugene Parker, helped get tonight's 5-year, $11.8 million (with $8.3 million guaranteed) deal done.
One of the issues was to make sure Bryant was signed by the start of training camp since he missed so much of last season due to a suspension. Remember, he hasn't practiced in pads since September.
"It was important,'' Parker said. "In fact, Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones and I discussed that. We knew how important that was going to be. None of us used that as a bargaining chip, but as incentive to compromise and get a deal done in a measure of good faith.''
Bryant sounds glad to get to focus solely on football.
"This was very important to me to be able to get this done in time for the first practice," Bryant said in comments distributed by the team. "I want to help this team. I want to compete. I can't wait to start playing football again."
Stephen Jones knew how important it was to get the deal done before training camp.
"It's important for us to get Dez in on time," Cowboys vice-president Stephen Jones said. "We think he can be very helpful with a good football team for us this year."
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"I must say I think it was really important that we get him working and in the groove with Tony (Romo) and our offense and I think he understood that," Jones said of the contract agreement.
With the contract negotiations complete, it is all about football now, says Jones.
"You can make things difficult, but I think at the end of the day, the best thing that can happen to a rookie player is to get on the field right away," Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said.
"That certainly helps his long-term career, which ultimately helps his viability as he moves forward as far as future contracts are concerned. You get those contracts based on how you perform in your first one."
Where Bryant will fit in with the offense will obviously be determined more as camp progresses.
"He's just going to come in and compete," Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said. "It's not for me to say it's for a starting job. I just know he wants to help us win football games."
NFP breaks down the contract further, according to their sources.
Dallas Cowboys rookie wide receiver's five-year deal is worth up to $11.8 million and includes $8.5 million in guaranteed money, according to a league source. The deal includes a signing bonus and first-year roster bonus totaling $2.52 million for the 24th overall pick, the first first-round deal to be completed.
The deal also includes a $3.185 million one-timer incentive clause. There is no second-year option bonus, per our source.