Dez Bryant was one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL from 2012 through 2014, averaging more than 90 catches and 1,250 receiving yards per season. Since then, Bryant has dealt with injuries that forced him to miss multiple games in both 2015 and 2016 and, in short, his production level has dropped off as a result.
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That serves as the backdrop for Bryant's comments in a recent interview with Sportsday, in which he said he was "a little heartbroken" on account of the past two years.
"The past two years, it took a toll on me, especially mentally just because I love the game of football. I understand it's a business and dealing with the contract situation, that really took a toll on me because when it's business, it's business.
"Make a long story short, it took a toll, a little heartbroken, but we got through it."
It should be noted that Bryant did get paid in a big way during the 2015 offseason and the Cowboys did not exactly glean value from that deal last season. However, the injury stuff is a legitimate concern for the now 28-year-old wide receiver and, with a new full-time quarterback in the fold with Dak Prescott, it will be interesting to see how he performs.
The Tony Romo-Dez Bryant era is over but Bryant's new signal-caller is fully capable of feeding the ball to his No. 1 target. Let the fireworks fly.
