Dallas Cowboys: Can Dez Bryant change his game?

Following another disappointing season in Big D, does Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant have the ability to change his game?

After posting his third lackluster season in a row, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is on the hot seat this offseason. Although owner Jerry Jones assures us he expects Bryant will remain in Big D in 2018, his son, Stephen, seems to be singing a slightly different tune.

The younger Jones keeps mentioning the fact that Bryant can be a distraction. And the fact Dez and the Cowboys young passer, Dak Prescott, can’t seem to get onto the same page. Dallas is clearly dedicated to making their offense as “Dak-friendly” as possible. That might mean moving on from Bryant due to his massive price tag, lack of production and distracting sideline antics.

But any Cowboy fan knows Bryant is a passionate guy. In fact, it’s his passion that appears to fuel his big play ability. An ability that has been often missing in the past three seasons. And if you listen to Dez himself, it’s due to the fact he hasn’t been fully healthy. And that was certainly true in 2015 and 2016. But what about this past season?

Bryant was supposed to be fully healthy in 2017. And by most accounts, he was. That was until Dez started getting criticism for his poor play. Suddenly, it was revealed that he’s been dealing with a minor knee issue for months. Yet, Bryant never appeared on the Cowboys official injury report prior to that revelation.

At 29-years old, Bryant’s physical issues and limitations figure only to get worse. And his massive salary hasn’t matched his play in over three seasons. It’s clear that something has to be done.

Clearly, Dallas should ask Bryant to take a pay cut with a whopping $12.5 million on the table this season. If he refuses, Dallas is at a crossroads. Do you release your number one wide receiver or do you pay him and hope he can reignite his game?

Like many other legendary receivers before him, Bryant is going to have to change his game at some point. Maybe right now. No longer can the talented athlete rely solely on his physical skills to dominate defenders. Bryant is going to have to expand his knowledge about opposing defenses, improve his footwork, expand his route tree and be open to taking on different roles.

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The fear is that Dez Bryant’s ego may be so massive, he is unwilling to take a lesser role for lesser pay. And that he lacks the humility required to recognize his diminishing skill set and make the changes needed to take his game to another level at this point of his career. Is that true? Only time will tell. For now, we wait and see what the offseason brings.