Dez Bryant tells TMZ that he would play for ‘dope’ Cardinals
Mar 12, 2021, 8:56 AM
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) reacts after catching a touchdown pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson, not visible, against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Three-time Pro Bowl receiver Dez Bryant isn’t known as a shy guy. So when TMZ caught up with him Thursday to ask about the next step in his NFL career, he put it out in the universe that he wouldn’t mind joining the Arizona Cardinals.
“I think that would be dope being next to my boy D-Hop [DeAndre Hopkins], Christian Kirk, Kyler Murray,” Bryant told TMZ.
“I think they have a dope offense. I feel like they got a dope defense. I think they got a dope coach … If I had to choose, yeah, if that opportunity presented itself, I think I would take it.”
Apparently, the luster of Kliff Kingsbury wasn’t lost in Bryant’s eyes amid the Cardinals’ disappointing finish to 2020 that left them with an 8-8 record and sitting out of the playoffs.
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For Arizona, that’s probably good news to hear and another sign the team can draw free agent interest after the addition of J.J. Watt this offseason.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Bryant played for the Baltimore Ravens last season and made his debut in Week 9. He appeared in six games total.
Bryant worked out for the Ravens last August but was reportedly out of shape. He did not sign until late October and spent a month bouncing between the practice squad and gameday roster before he was added to the NFL squad at the end of November.
By the end of the year, the 32-year-old caught six passes for 47 yards and two touchdowns on 11 targets. He recorded a touchdown in each of Weeks 15 and 16.
It was his first NFL game action in more than two years. He did not sign with a team in 2019 after an Achilles injury in 2018 sidelined him all of that season.
Bryant spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (2010-17), where he racked up 7,459 yards and 73 touchdowns. He led the NFL with 16 receiving touchdowns in 2014, as he earned First Team All-Pro.
Would the Cardinals be curious to see what Bryant has left?
First, Arizona must determine whether veteran Larry Fitzgerald returns.
If not, Bryant in theory could be utilized as a big-bodied interior receiver. But it’s assumed the Cardinals will first want to upgrade their receiver corps with free agents that have more recent production or via the draft.
