Cowboys Saying Little About Future of Dez Bryant

While many ponder Dez Bryant’s future with the Dallas Cowboys, what is going unsaid about it is just as interesting as what is being spoken. This week, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters that the team has not scheduled any meetings with the wide receiver’s agent to discuss reworking Bryant’s contract.

On Wednesday, when asked if he wanted Bryant back in 2018 to play for the Cowboys, head coach Jason Garrett would only say the team has not had personnel meetings dealing with any players.

Garrett added that the team had its wrap up meeting following the season reviewing much of what took place last season and this week more meetings will be taking place, then following the scouting combine, meetings will be held about specific roles for each player on the team moving forward.

If the future of Bryant with the Cowboys was secure, the possibility of releasing the receiver or asking him to accept less money would not even be entertained, and the coach and front office would say the same.

The Cowboys have the following options: Pay Bryant $12.5 million and against the salary cap he will count $16.5 million, ask him to take a cut in pay or release him.

The team has no pressure to make any move nearly two weeks prior to free agency starting, since Dallas does not need extra room under the cap.

Jones did say that a decision would be made sooner than later, as the new NFL season is quickly approaching. Jones added that coaches and front office personnel would spend a great deal of time together during the week and make headway related to the players and next season.

As Garrett has done, Jones praised the time Bryant has had with the team. Bryant leads the franchise in touchdown receptions and has three straight season of 1,200 yards or more and 12 TDs.

However, the NFL is a business and that meets at some point with player production. Bryant’s numbers have dropped the last three seasons and not only because of his play on the field. He had knee and foot injuries during both 2015 and 2016. In 2015, quarterback play was poor with then starter Tony Romo out of action all but four games.

During 2016, with Ezekiel Elliott in the lineup the team was run-first pass-second. Last season, the offense was hurt by the six-game suspension of Elliott.