Although there have been lots of rumors that Dallas Cowboys could move on from wide receiver Dez Bryant, no one actually thought this will happen. Well, it happened. The Cowboys have announced on Friday that they have release Bryant after the player had a meeting with the team’s owner and general manager Jerry Jones.
#ThankYouDez pic.twitter.com/cnPGC6OPEv
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 13, 2018
Jerry Jones issued a statement shortly after the news was confirmed:
“As an organization, we hold Dez Bryant in the highest regard, and we are grateful for his passion, spirit and contributions to this team for the past eight years. He will always be a valued member of our family.
Dez and I share a personal and professional relationship that is very strong, and he is one of just a handful of players with whom I have become that close to over the past 30 years.
This was not an easy decision. It was made based upon doing what we believe is in the best interest of the Dallas Cowboys.
We arrived at this crossroad collectively with input from several voices within the organization. Ultimately we determined it was time to go in a new direction.“
ESPN reports that Cowboys didn’t discuss a possible pay-cut before releasing Dez Bryant, a move that will save them $8 million against the cap in 2018. The 29-year-old, who was the first round pick in 2010 NFL draft, signed a five-year, $70 million contract in 2015 but didn’t produce accordingly. He never came close to 90 catches, 1,200 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns; numbers he averaged from 2012 through 2014. During his seven years in the NFL, Dez Bryant had three Pro Bowl appearances, received First-team All-Pro once and was NFL receiving touchdowns leader in 2014 with 16.
