Cleveland Browns: Interest in Dez Bryant could get a big push next week

The Cleveland Browns have been interested in Dez Bryant for the past month, and next week the Browns could try and go all-in on Bryant to get him in an orange helmet.

Since the early part of training camp, the Cleveland Browns have heavily interested in signing free agent wide receiver Dez Bryant.

Bryant came to Cleveland for a visit – his only visit since he was cut by the Cowboys – and negotiated a contract with the Browns.

Pro Football Talk reported the Browns offered Bryant a one-year worth less than five million dollars. But Bryant turned down the offer, and the two sides were reportedly far apart on the money.

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It has been quiet on the Bryant front in Cleveland since that contract was turned down. But according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, the Browns could pick up their pursuit on Bryant since a potential contract would not be guaranteed after Week 1.

"Dez Bryant slipped to the Browns’ back burner after visiting the club last month, but things could heat up again next week after the vested veteran guarantee expires, a league source told cleveland.com.If the Browns signed the ninth-year pro before the first game, his entire 2018 salary would be guaranteed.After the first game, only 25% of the salary would be guaranteed in the event he were released. – Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com"

Since the deal would only be partially guaranteed, it would make sense that the Browns would offer a higher salary than the five million before. Just in case Bryant is struggling or is causing problems in the locker room, the Browns would not be as obligated to keep him under contract since his salary would not be fully guaranteed.

But after this week, other teams may become more interested in Bryant and push for him to sign with them. Other teams will also look at not having Bryant under a fully guaranteed contract and would be more inclined to get him under contract.

This could be exactly what Bryant was waiting for. Wait until a top-tier team or a contender becomes interested due to various reasons and sign a contract with them. His perceived interest in signing with Cleveland could be him trying to get potentially interested teams to become more urgent in trying to acquire his services.

So even if Bryant does not sign with the Browns, there is a good chance that the saga will finally end in the next few weeks…..hopefully.