The July 4 holiday weekend is upon us and with it some interesting reports regarding the contract situation of Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant.

The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on the star wideout in hopes of signing him to a new long-term contract before the July 15 deadline. Bryant hasn’t been subtle about his displeasure with the negotiations, but one reliable source at CBS DFW said progress has been made since the two sides reconvened talks last week and even said a deal is almost done:

“[S]ources tell me his wait is almost over, the two sides having moved to such a negotiating comfort level that there is discussion about announcing a done deal following the July 4 weekend.”

That would be huge news, especially since the Dallas Morning News cited a Jason Cole report that there has been “no progress” in the rekindled negotiations. However, that report came a day before Mike Fisher’s quote above. That, coupled with the fact Fisher is closer to the pulse of DFW sports than any national media member, makes it believable.

Add in RantSports sources providing similar reports and this could sneak up on everyone and become the biggest headline story of the upcoming week.

The recent discussion between Jerry Jones and Bryant on the final day of the Cowboys’ mandatory minicamp appeared to resolve something, as the two were very animated for about 15 minutes before parting with smiles and a hug. Obviously the details of the contract weren’t worked out then, but a general agreement on some sort of compromise likely resulted from the exchange and got the two sides to this point.

Just to fill in those who may have been living under a rock: Bryant has yet to sign his $12.8 million franchise tag tender and has threatened to skip the Cowboys’ season opener against the New York Giants if he isn’t given a new contract by July 15. Of course, that would be foolish considering he and the team aren’t allowed to negotiate a new deal after that date, per NFL rules.

Fisher noted that both Jones and Bryant have expressed their desires to make a “positive mark” with this situation, especially to avoid any distraction for the team, which is in a win-now mode. That, along with the approaching deadline, could easily spur both sides into agreeing on a new deal over the holiday weekend (or at least by July 15) and end this dramatic saga.

If that happens and Bryant goes on to have the monster season we’re all expecting, no one will even remember all of this.

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