Report: Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys involved in contract collusion?

The National Football League Players Association is looking into a possible case of contract collusion between the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys regarding the contracts of current franchise-tagged wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant, according to a report Friday afternoon by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Story on possible collusion between Cowboys and Broncos:

NFLPA is reviewing information to determine whether… http://t.co/YGtapSMvQl

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 10, 2015

Shefter reported that “the NFLPA believes the Broncos and Cowboys had contact about each players’ contract when the collective bargaining agreement prohibits such contact,” and the union now is determining if it has enough evidence to file a collusion claim.

Both fifth-year Pro Bowl wideouts, who were first-round picks in the 2010 NFL Draft, are unhappy with their current one-year franchise tags and are seeking long-term deals with sizable chunks of guaranteed money. The two teams and wide receivers have until next Wednesday (July 15) to reach a long-term deal, and it’s been widely accepted that the teams and respective agents each are waiting for the other to sign first and establish a market value.

Hence, the collusion allegations would be far from a total shocker, and while it’s not immediately clear what kind of punishment the Broncos and Cowboys would face if found guilty, it would likely fall along the lines of an organizational fine.