Report: NFLPA to pursue collusion if Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas don’t sign long-term deals

The NFLPA plans to pursue collusion charges against the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys if Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas don’t sign long-term contracts prior to Wednesday’s deadline.

The union believed it had credible information that the two teams might have discussed the contracts of franchise receivers Bryant and Thomas, which is illegal per the league’s CBA. ESPN is reporting that charges could be pursued if they don’t sign long-term contracts in the next day.

After July 15, the players can’t sign contract extensions until the league year ends. Their only option to play this season would be under the one-year franchise tender for $12.8 million, although Bryant has threatened to miss regular-season games if it comes to that.

The union clearly wants its premier players to sign marquee deals and not settle for the tenders, and this might be a way — like Bryant’s threats — to help force the action for what the NFLPA has deemed to be unfair behavior by team officials from borth teams as they tried to gauge the market and what each was offering.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm