The status of receiver Dez Bryant has been one of the most prevalent storylines of the offseason for the Dallas Cowboys. Some clarity should be coming to the situation soon.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has recently said that he and Bryant need to talk about the receiver’s status with the team. According to a source (H/T Josh Clark, Dallas’ 105.3 The Fan), that conversation will happen on Friday.
Bryant is a $16.5 million cap hit to Dallas in 2018. So, chances are that the conversation will include him being asked to take a pay cut. If that can’t happen, Bryant should probably expect to be traded or released, as much as he may not like it.
Reports have circulated that even with the signing of Allen Hurns, the Cowboys would like to have Bryant back. That sounds good in theory. We’re just not sure how well that would actually work out.
Whether it’s due to injuries or age, Bryant has not been a top-tier receiver for a long time. He hasn’t topped 1,000 yards since the 2014 season. While Bryant is still a decent red zone target, his efficiency there has also greatly diminished. Since that 2014 season, Bryant has hauled in a total of 17 touchdown passes. In 2014 alone, he caught 16 touchdowns.
It’s hard to justify that salary for that kind of production. If Bryant doesn’t agree to take a cut, his days as a Cowboy are almost certainly numbered.