Dez Bryant left his visit with the Cleveland Browns last week without a deal. However, the Browns were reportedly still very much interested in signing the veteran wideout and could once again step up their pursuit in the coming days.
Per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns could potentially rekindle their chase for the former Cowboy next week when the vested veteran guarantee expires after the first round of games.
That is significant since only 25 percent of Bryant’s salary would be guaranteed if he signed after the first game of the season as opposed to the full salary being guaranteed if he is signed before the first game.
Cabot also notes that Bryant is likely to attract more suitors apart from the Browns after the vested veteran guarantee expires.
The Browns reportedly offered Bryant a base salary of worth less than $5 million, which likely didn’t satisfy Dez given that he turned down a deal worth $7 million per year with the Ravens earlier this offseason.
Bryant has already shown he’s willing to wait for the deal that he feels is right for him. He also recently hinted that it might be a little later in the year before he plays again.
The Browns no longer have the pressing need at receiver that they once had now that Josh Gordon is back in the lineup following his absence to undergo treatment. They also have Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway as playmakers for quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
But they remain ready to take Bryant in if he’s willing to come over and next week could go a long way toward determining if that scenario really is possible.