NFL Insider thinks Cowboys are better off without Dez Bryant, Jason Witten
One NFL insider believes the Dallas Cowboys are actually a better team without two major offensive contributors that were lost this offseason. Is he right?
The Dallas Cowboys don’t appear to be very high on many NFL offseason rankings for the upcoming season. And that’s mainly due to the loss of two superstar players earlier this year. Those veterans, of course, being wide receiver Dez Bryant and tight end Jason Witten.
Considered the Cowboys top wide receiver for several years, Bryant was released by Dallas back in April following three underwhelming seasons after he inked a five-year, $70 million in July of 2015. The fact the 29-year old is still currently unemployed speaks to his declining physical skills and proves the Cowboys were right to part ways with the once elite receiver.
The loss of Witten feels much more impactful and was unexpected. Rumors leaked during the second day of the 2018 NFL Draft back in late April that Witten was considering retirement after 15 seasons with the Cowboys. A few days later the now 36-year old made it official, hanging up his cleats in order to pursue a television career.
With both Bryant and Witten being the most targeted receivers from last season, combining for a whopping 219 passing targets (45.1 percent of all of Dak Prescott‘s passes), the Cowboys are expected to suffer a drastic drop in production through the air in 2018.
But one NFL insider believes Dallas will actually field an improved offense without Bryant or Witten on the roster. Here’s what NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks said recently on the Move the Sticks podcast:
"“I actually think they are better off without Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. Dak Prescott, his numbers are ridiculous when he throws to eight or more different targets, 14-2. 21:4 touchdown to interception ratio. It just shows that when he is able to just drop back and find the open guy, get the ball to him without the pressure and stress of having to force feed the ball to #88, he’s a better player.”“I actually think they are better off without Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. Dak Prescott, his numbers are ridiculous when he throws to eight or more different targets, 14-2. 21:4 touchdown to interception ratio. It just shows that when he is able to just drop back and find the open guy, get the ball to him without the pressure and stress of having to force feed the ball to #88, he’s a better player.”"
It’s hard to imagine you can take talents like Witten and Bryant off your roster and actually improve the team. But the numbers don’t lie. By all accounts, Prescott is a more efficient passer when he can spread the ball around instead of trying to force it to one receiver. But Dak also believes in getting the ball to his playmakers and allowing them to do something special.
If Prescott believes that playmaker’s name is Allen Hurns, Cole Beasley, or Blake Jarwin, the third-year quarterback is still going to focus more on getting them the ball. Especially in clutch situations. It’s simply the nature of football. And every quarterback has his favorites.
Next: The top 10 Dallas Cowboys to never win a Super Bowl
Will the Dallas Cowboys actually be a better passing team without Dez Bryant or Jason Witten on the field? The absence of these aging superstars will certainly open up more opportunities for younger players to step into the spotlight. But only time will tell if Bucky Brooks’ prediction becomes a reality or not. Until then, it’s all just a guessing game.