Should the Arizona Cardinals pursue free agent WR Dez Bryant?
Apr 13, 2018, 10:38 AM | Updated: 3:52 pm
(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Wide receiver Dez Bryant was released by the Dallas Cowboys on Friday morning, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Bryant appeared to confirm this on his Twitter account.
Cowboy nation I need you to know this wasn’t my decision.. I will always love y’all… forever Dallas in my heart
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) April 13, 2018
With decreased production and a $16.5 million cap hit in each of the next two seasons, the Cowboys are parting ways with a once-dominant receiver.
The Cardinals’ receiver depth is thin behind Larry Fitzgerald, which begs the question: Should Arizona pursue this polarizing player?
From 2012-14, Bryant averaged 91 receptions, 1,312 yards and 14 touchdowns per season.
However, after missing the second half of 2015 with a broken foot, he couldn’t find a connection with new quarterback Dak Prescott the next season. Bryant averaged 60 receptions and 817 yards over the last two seasons.
Additionally, his emotions have gotten the best of him at times throughout his career.
While fighting for playoff contention in December 2017, TV cameras caught Bryant and a coach yelling at each other on the sideline after the receiver dropped a catch. He struggled in this game, fumbling the ball on his next target and later allowing a pass to deflect off him and into the hands of a defender.
Team vice president Stephen Jones told the team’s Hangin’ With the Boys podcast that his emotions “can be a distraction” for teammates.
The Cardinals’ current No. 2 receiver is J.J. Nelson, who has 1,375 receiving yards in his three-year career.
Bryant once had 1,382 yards in one season and is only three seasons removed from his last 1,300-yard year.
Teams are bound to show interest based on the hope his recent shortcomings are more due to the quarterback switch than his own abilities. On Friday, a Bryant tweet implied he’d be open to playing on a different team in the Cowboys’ division.
? Twice? Let’s see https://t.co/939nM5atzi
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) April 13, 2018
The Cardinals have about $20 million in cap space, according to Sportrac. They still have several holes to fill, plus the contracts that will go to rookies selected in the NFL Draft.
98.7 FM Arizona Sports Station’s John Gambadoro tweeted that “it would be tough for the Cardinals to bring Dez Bryant in” and that he would command a high asking price.
It would be tough for the Cardinals to bring Dez Bryant in. I expect they will kick the tires but he will get some money so highly doubtful Arizona will get him. Plus they have no babysitters on the staff.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) April 13, 2018
