Dez Bryant is on the lookout for a new team. The Dallas Cowboys released the Pro Bowl wide receiver on Friday in a somewhat surprising move.
The move is billed as a cap-saving measure, Bryant has not performed up to the heights he reached earlier in his career. Bryant was an All-Pro in 2014, with a career-high 16 touchdowns on 88 catches for 1320 yards.
Last season, Bryant had just six scores and 69 catches for 838 yards. Comparing his expected 2018 salary of $16.5 million to others in the league made it clear to the Cowboys they need to move on.
Prior to his release, Dez Bryant was going to be responsible for one of the highest salary cap hits of any wide receiver in 2018 ($16.5M), though his production was not on par with other similarly expensive WRs pic.twitter.com/PcLTBDTzaj
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) April 13, 2018
It was reported that Bryant was not offered a pay cut. Despite high hopes the 2017 season was a mess for the Cowboys, with running back Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension (and un-suspension and suspension once more) dominating the narrative of what became a disappointing season.
The Cowboys have released Dez Bryant after the receiver's meeting with Jerry Jones, according to a source. A source said Bryant was not offered a pay cut, while another source added that Bryant will not be designated a post-June 1 cut. The Cowboys will… https://t.co/WHJrHdguPh
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) April 13, 2018
Players certainly went on record saying they want Bryant on the roster, but management and coaches did not give ringing endorsements in recent months. The two sides were expected to meet sometime this week, and the result of that meeting appears to be Bryant seeking a new team.
Bryant responded on Twitter shortly after the news broke Friday afternoon, saying he was “unbothered” by it and is ready to start the “process” with a new team.
let’s start the process #unbothered #ThrowUpTheX
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) April 13, 2018
There’s no shortage of teams looking for wide receivers, and Bryant now becomes the biggest name remaining on the market. If you’d like to take an educated guess as to his landing spot, pick somewhere in the NFC East.
Dez walked out saying I'll see guys twice this year, I'm told. So that's that.
— Mickey Spagnola (@Spags52) April 13, 2018
If Bryant gets his wish, it’s going to be a fun season.
