The Cowboys' winning ways are bound to cost them some money when it comes time to discuss contracts â not that they're complaining.
Dallas enters its bye week with a 7-3 record, and plenty of credit for that can go to Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray. Bryant torched Jacksonville for 158 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday night in London, while Murray added 100 rushing yards.
"There's so many times that the question is more about evaluating what their future is on the field -- on the field. Talent on the field," said Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones. "Both those guys are young. Both of them are healthy. Both of them should have a significant career ahead of them. And that's not always the case. So that far overshadows the fact that they're playing so well right now."
Both players are also enjoying standout years among their league peers. As has been well-noted, Murray is running away with the NFL rushing title after opening the season with eight-straight 100-yard rushing efforts. His 1,233 rushing yards on the season puts him more than 400 yards above any other running back.
Bryant is tied for fourth in the league in receiving touchdowns with eight. His struggles in Week 7 and Week 8 have pushed him back to No. 9 in receiving yardage, with 793. Despite that, he is presently on pace for 1,268 yards and 13 touchdowns.
That kind of production is bound to escalate the asking price when it comes time to negotiate those contracts â and both Bryant and Murray's deals are up this year, for the record.
It isn't an issue Jones said he spends much time stressing about.
"The facts are they're young, healthy and having great years. You want to dial in to that one," he said. "I'll take the headache of trying to negotiate and fit them in the roster every day with that criteria."
With each player operating on such a high level, it seems far-fetched that the Cowboys can retain the services of both. A long term contract for Bryant will likely cost the team upward of $10 million per year, while the top contracts for running backs in recent years are offering anywhere from $7-9 million per year.
Asked if it was realistic to retain both, though, Jones was optimistic.
"Well, yes. Yes. Absolutely," he said.
