Cowboys ink WR Bryant to 5-yr deal

IRVING, Tex. -- The Cowboys and wide receiver Dez Bryant came to terms on a deal over five years and worth $70 million, the team announced on Wednesday.

Bryant caught 16 touchdowns last season for the 12-win Cowboys, setting an all-time record in that department, topping Terrell Owens' effort. He also led the team in receiving yards (1,320) and yards per game (82.5), adding 22 receptions of 20 or more yards.

The agreement comes after much speculation and, more recently, a series of ultimatums from Bryant that he would sit out the training camp and potentially a number of regular season games should he not have received a long-term deal to his liking by the deadline this afternoon to sign franchise-tagged players.

"We value him," team owner Jerry Jones said, via their website. "Other than Dez, nobody is prouder of his accomplishments.

"I know that he, like the Cowboys, want him to be a Cowboy all of his playing career."

Bryant was given the franchise tag by the Cowboys worth $12.8 million, a price for which he would have been forced to play this coming season.

He compiled over 381 receptions for 5,424 yards and 56 touchdowns in a five-year career, all with the Cowboys.