Dallas Cowboys: DeMarcus Ware on Dez Bryant not taking a pay cut

Dallas Cowboy legend, DeMarcus Ware has had some interesting insights into Dez Bryant’s future with the franchise if he does not accept a pay cut.

Dallas Cowboys legend, DeMarcus Ware had some interesting statements about the Cowboys star wide receiver, Dez Bryant. The NFL Network’s newest commentator had some insight into what it means to be one of the highest paid players in the Dallas Cowboys locker room. He shared some of his thoughts on Bryant stating that he would not take a pay cut.

Dez has had a rough season and whether it is because of age or injury people have begun to notice. He is also the player that will have the biggest cap hit for Dallas heading into the offseason. This has caused a lot of speculation as to how the Cowboys will approach his contract in the coming months.

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Ware began his statements by pointing out the fact that the Dallas Cowboys simply cannot let high production players like Demarcus Lawrence, Zack Martin, or Sean Lee hit free agency, so you have to pay them.

With Dez saying he will not take a pay cut that would put not only the front office in an extremely difficult position but it would also hurt the team. Martin and Lee are will not be free agents in 2018 however they will need new contracts fairly soon.

The Cowboys would like to extend Martin and re-sign Lawrence during the 2018 offseason which is possible, but something will have to be done about Bryant’s contract. Ware continues by illustrating the point that Bryant needs to be aware of what his current role is on this roster.

He is not the productive number one wide receiver the Cowboys have needed. His lackluster production aside, as a teammate he should want to adjust his contract so Dallas can go out and add players that can help get this team to the playoffs.

Dez’s enormous $12.5 million cap hit over the next two seasons has to come down especially with the team looking to make a push for the playoffs.

Ware stated

"“I had to do it. Romo had to do it. Witten had to do it. All those guys have to do those things. You can get, what, four or five Cole Beasleys, right? And so you have to think about what you can bring to the game for them”."

That is a pretty poignant way of looking at losing some money for the greater good. Plenty of Dallas Cowboy legends have had to adjust their contract for the team, and Bryant will be no exception.

Ware continued

"“They’re going to go…to Dez and say we’re not going to pay you 12.5, can you do something for us to help out the team? If you say no, I’m not going to take a pay cut – guess what, you’re not going to be with the Dallas Cowboys. I’ve been in that situation before to where I think they owed me $12-13 million and I said I will take a pay cut. But the thing is, I had been producing. If you’re not producing, and you say I’m not going to take a pay cut. Well then, we’re going to figure out what we can do, what options we can to bring to the game.”"

Pretty strong words coming from a veteran who knows a bit about not only free agency but producing on the field. If Bryant wants to continue to be with Dallas, he will have to play ball, if not for the organization then for his teammates.

The cold, hard truth of the matter is that the Cowboys cannot afford to waste any cap space at this stage of the team’s development. With a young quarterback who needs help at the wide receiving position and aging pass catchers, somethings got to give.

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Bryant failed to crack 1,000 yards in a season where the Dallas Cowboys had to resort to a passing led offense for a large chunk of the season. He also was one of the leaders in dropped passes this season and was fairly ineffective as a number one option. At 29 years old number 88 may need to give up some money to get a ring.

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