Cowboys star Dez Bryant tweets, ‘I will not be there if no deal’

Dez Bryant wants a long-term deal from the Dallas Cowboys and he wants it now.

Actually, as the team’s franchise player, Bryant needs to get it now -- or at least within the next two days -- or else he will have to accept a one-year deal for a mere $12.8 million.

The two-time Pro Bowl receiver made it clear Monday that he has no intention of doing that.

He tweeted: “As much as I love football...on my beautiful babies.. I apologize #cowboynation but I will not be there if no deal #fact.”

That message came hours after ESPN reported that Bryant personally informed Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones that he would skip training camp and miss multiple games if he doesn’t get the type of long-term deal he desires before the NFL deadline of 1 p.m. PDT Wednesday.

Later Monday morning, ESPN also reported that Jones had denied the previous report via text message. Bryant has mentioned in the past that he could hold out if a long-term deal wasn’t reached, but he has also clouded that message by taking part in some OTA drills and appearing on the sideline at mini-camp.

But Bryant’s tweet on Monday seems to have made his intentions perfectly clear.

Bryant was picked by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2010 draft. He has caught at least 88 passes for more than 1,200 yards in each of the last three seasons.