After a dominant 2014 campaign, Dez Bryant entered the 2015 season with a hefty new contract and heralded as one of the NFL’s best receivers. Injuries have contributed to a middling year, however.
According to Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said 2015 has been a disappointing year for Bryant.
“There’s no doubt it’s been disappointing for Dez. He’s got very high expectations and a very high bar for what he needs to be doing to help win ballgames. It certainly is (disappointing), we’ve talked ad nauseam at maybe why he’s not had the kinda year we all expected.”
Jones added that Bryant’s lack of practice availability and Tony Romo’s absence impacted the receiver’s rough season.
Last season, Bryant racked up 88 catches, 1,320 yards and 16 touchdowns but has managed 31 receptions, 401 yards and three scores this year. He missed five games due to a fractured foot and wasn’t a regular on the practice field for more than a month after returning from surgery.
Additionally, Romo — not Brandon Weeden, Matt Cassel or Kellen Moore — was throwing the passes to Bryant in 2014. Romo has twice broken his collarbone this season, appearing in four games and only finishing two.
Dallas should return to being an effective offense in 2016 thanks to a healthy Bryant and Romo, but there’s no question the soon-to-end regular season can’t finish any faster for the 4-10 Cowboys.