Will a vengeful Dez Bryant join a NFC East foe following release?
After being released from the Dallas Cowboys on Friday, it appears wide receiver Dez Bryant may sign with a divisional rival in response.
The Dallas Cowboys cut ties with longtime top wide receiver Dez Bryant on Friday. The 29-year old’s release came quickly following a meeting with owner Jerry Jones. But nothing about this process has been swift.
For months, speculation about Bryant’s future in Dallas has been on the forefront of both local and national sporting news. This following the Pro Bowl receiver’s third straight season posting disappointing numbers.
Bryant signed a five-year, $70 million contract in 2015 making him one of the highest paid receivers in the NFL. But declining physical skills and injuries limited the veteran wide out, resulting in him posting mediocre numbers every season since signing that massive extension.
The Cowboys were unwilling to pay Bryant expensive price tag for another season, outright releasing the former number one receiver and gaining themselves $8.5 million in salary cap space by doing so.
Bryant’s exodus from Dallas was foreshadowed earlier this offseason when the Cowboys attempted to sign now-Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins in free agency. After that failed attempt, Dallas added free agents Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson to their wide receiver corps.
Now, a free agent himself, Bryant could be looking to exact some revenge on the team that spurred him. According to Cowboys insider Mickey Spagnola, Dez was apparently overheard vowing to see Dallas twice this upcoming season. That seems to indicate he intends on joining one of the Cowboys’ divisional rivals.
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 I didn’t have my edge I got it now... I’m sorry they got to feel me it’s personal... it’s very personal
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) April 13, 2018
The Cowboys play in the NFC East along with the New York Giants, the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles. The latter likely being a very desirable spot for Bryant as they are coming off their first Super Bowl victory. Washington, who recently traded for a new starting quarterback in Alex Smith, could be a possible landing spot as well. As for the Giants, due to their recent issues with Odell Beckham Jr., New York could make room for a player like Bryant to shore up their wide receiver corps.
Just got off the phone with @DezBryant he “feels free”, had honest conversation with Jerry Jones and hyper motivated to play next year...first division he is looking at? NFC East. We will be sitting down tonight for an exclusive sit down interview on his thoughts post release.
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) April 13, 2018
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The fact is, Dez Bryant will likely have his choice of NFL teams to play for next season. And that includes each one of the Dallas Cowboys’ divisional rivals. If Bryant truly wants revenge, he can surely sign with a team who can give him that opportunity.