IRVING, Texas -- Dez Bryant will get four more months to work on a long-term deal with the Cowboys and make $12.8 million next year after the team used its franchise tag on the star wide receiver.
Bryant led the NFL with a club-record 16 touchdowns in the final year of a rookie contract that paid $11.8 million over five years.
The 26-year-old Bryant was the fastest Dallas player to 300 career receptions and second-fastest to 50 touchdowns behind Bob Hayes.
The Cowboys also have to decide whether to re-sign running back DeMarco Murray after he had a league-leading 1,845 yards rushing in the final year of his contract. He becomes a free agent March 10.
Giants: Pierre-Paul tagged after bounce-back season
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants placed the franchise tag on defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul after the 26-year-old rebounded from two injury-plagued seasons.
The Giants made the move Monday, guaranteeing that their first-round draft pick of 2010 will make at least $14.813 million next season unless the two sides reach an agreement on a long-term deal by July 15.
Pierre-Paul had team highs of 12 1/2 sacks and 21 quarterback hits playing on a defense ranked No. 29 overall. It was his best season since having 16 sacks in 2011, the season the Giants won their second Super Bowl under Tom Coughlin.
NFL
Chiefs: All-Pro Houston tagged
The Kansas City Chiefs signaled they have no intention of parting ways with Justin Houston on Monday, moving swiftly to place the franchise tag on their All-Pro pass rusher.
The Chiefs made the decision to use the non-exclusive designation well ahead of the afternoon deadline, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had yet to announce the move.
The 25-year-old Houston set a franchise-record with 22 sacks last season, just a half-sack short of the NFL record. He also made 68 tackles while playing the final year of his rookie deal.
Lions: Team website says Suh won't be tagged
DETROIT -- Ndamukong Suh can test the open market when free agency begins March 10 after the Lions decided not to use the franchise tag on the star defensive tackle, according to a report on the team's website.
Monday is the deadline for teams to designate franchise or transition players. The Lions did not officially confirm the decision to let the deadline pass without franchising their 28-year-old All-Pro, but the report on the team's website said Detroit concluded that the franchise tag's price of around $27 million for Suh proved too daunting.
Suh has been a force in the middle of Detroit's defensive line ever since the Lions drafted him with the second overall pick in 2010. He has 36 sacks in five seasons, including 8 1/2 in 2014, when the Lions made the playoffs as a wild card while boasting one of the league's top defenses.
Broncos: Demaryius Thomas tagged
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.— The Denver Broncos have placed their franchise tag on star receiver Demaryius Thomas, guaranteeing him roughly $12.8 million next season and buying them more time to work out a long-term deal.
General manager John Elway used that same tactic before re-signing kicker Matt Prater and left tackle Ryan Clady before training camp in recent years.
Selected 22nd overall in 2010 out of Georgia Tech, Thomas has made the Pro Bowl in each of his three seasons with Peyton Manning at quarterback.