Dez Bryant is going to provide the Dallas Cowboys with a rather interesting scenario this offseason.
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On one hand, he's still arguably one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. No, he's not Julio Jones, but he's still one of the top deep threat wideouts in the game.
On the other hand, Bryant hasn't played up to snuff — or at least up to the elite level expected of him. He has caught 66 passes for 815 yards and six touchdowns, but those numbers are a far cry from what he's capable of.
The Cowboys can also save a decent chunk of money by getting rid of him this offseason. Per Todd Archer of ESPN, Dallas can receive $8.5 million of salary cap space by releasing Bryant this offseason. The Cowboys could also designate him as a post-June 1 cut and free up $12 million with $4 million counting against their cap in 2019.
Jerry Jones has opted not to talk about Bryant's future with the organization, but for his part, the wideout has been very clear that he won't take a pay cut to stay in Dallas. He wants to be a Cowboy, but seems to know what he's worth in today's market:
"I haven't heard no talk about that but if it comes [pay cut], I don't know, probably not," Bryant said Wednesday. "Hell naw, man. I believe in me."
The wideout was also asked if he can see himself playing anywhere else but Dallas. His response:
"I don't know, but if that came about, I'm still Dez Bryant," he said Wednesday. "I'm still going over the top. If it's there where I can grab it, I'm going to grab it. That's who I am."
For what it's worth if Dallas were to keep Bryant he would be scheduled to make $12.5 million in 2018.
Is he worth that much? He seems to think so, but ultimately, his production needs to match that as well.
