The Dallas Cowboys’ decision to release Pro Bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant earlier in April was not too much of a shock. On the downside of his career, Bryant simply wasn’t worth the cash he was set to be paid.
This doesn’t mean that Bryant’s feelings weren’t hurt. Immediately after his release, the always talkative pass catcher told the Cowboys’ brass that they’ll see him twice per season. It’s a clear indication he plans on signing with an NFC East rival team.
If Bryant was upset about the release itself, one has to wonder how he’ll react to owner Jerry Jones’ most-recent comments.
Jerry Jones said the Cowboys are better than they were at the end of the season based on the moves in free agency, including the departures of Dez Bryant and Anthony Hitchens. He said the Cowboys are better because there is a clarity of roles and how they will do things.
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) April 24, 2018
That’s clearly Jones’ way of throwing Bryant under the bus. A parting gift of sorts.
Did Dallas actually improve this offseason? By adding Allen Hurns to replace Bryant, the team did get younger at wide receiver. Whether that means Hurns will be able to duplicate the success we saw from Bryant over the past two years remains to be seen.
Dallas was up against the cap. In this, it had to hit the bargain bin in free agency. With an exception of Hurns, it’s highly unlikely any of their additions will move the needle much.
Instead, it seems that Jone believes the subtraction of Bryant made the team better. That’s unlikely to sit well in Dez’s camp.