The Dallas Cowboys are going to cut Dez Bryant following the NFL Draft according to multiple reports. The 29 year-old is a huge $16.5 million cap hit for the Cowboys next season making the decision quite easy for Jerry Jones and co. Reports say “talks will still happen” indicating a possibility that Bryant returns, but that seems unlikely.
The Cowboys recently added Allen Hurns and are apparently open to taking a receiver early in next month’s draft. Bryant carries a huge cap number, and Dallas can clear $12.5 million by making him a post-June 1 cut. The three-time Pro Bowler will now hit free agency and presumably makes a lot of sense in Chicago. Here’s why.
Cameron Meredith Uncertainty
There is no guarantee that Cameron Meredith is going to return to the Bears. He’s recently visited three teams and expects to field an offer sheet from at least one of them, most think it will be the Saints. This is a player with 10 career starts and only four career touchdowns, how much money is Ryan Pace willing to pay for that? Moreover, is he willing to match what another team will offer? Time will tell.
Assuming Meredith bails, the Chicago receiving core will need some additional help. With Allen Robinson, Kevin White and Kendall Wright left to pick up the slack, the Bears will need to either draft another receiver or pick up someone in free agency. Even if Meredith stays, the Bears still need bodies. Considering the age, and experience, of the current receiving core adding a veteran like Bryant could pay big dividends for the development of White, Meredith and Robinson.
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Offense Lacks Veteran Leadership
It’s been a while since the Bears looked to the offensive side of the ball for leadership. Nobody considered Jay Cutler a leader and Walter Payton has been retired for a few decades. The current team has the likes of Mitch Trubisky, Cody Whitehair and Kyle Long but there’s not one game of playoff experience in that bunch. Enter Bryant.
Bryant could immediately become a mentor for Trubisky, Robinson and White while catching around 50 balls for the squad. At just 29 years old, Bryant should have some gas left in the tank considering he doesn’t turn 30 until November. However, already playing eight seasons in the NFL, Bryant’s age doesn’t accurately reflect his mileage meter. Likely to be the last significant contract he signs, a three-year deal with the Bears would provide financial security for Bryant and give him an immediate opportunity to become a veteran leader for the team. If properly used, Trubisky, Robinson and White could benefit immensely from this.
Still Very Productive
Most NFL fans remember Bryant as one of the best receivers of his generation, so catching 69 balls with 838 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns for 2017 is considered a down year. Take that production and add it to the Bears? He would have been the leading receiver for the team last season.
Did I mention he played all 16 games?
These Deals Are Tricky
The first thing Bryant will likely say is he “wants to go somewhere to win,” the common war cry for veteran free agents without a ring. That way of thinking almost immediately eliminates the Bears because they’ve finished last in their division four years in a row. However, Chicago is a gigantic market and fans would adore Bryant if signed. One of those love/hate relationships, Bryant has the opportunity to be an important face here while mentoring into the future if that’s the path he’s on. He knows he only has one real contract left and he knows he isn’t going to be the #1 wide receiver for anyone. That leaves two scenarios…
- Sign for peanuts on a winning team and hope to get a ring.
- Sign for market value on a team with an immediate need for him on and off the field.
Chicago is #2 on that list. The Patriots, Packers and Vikings would be examples of #1.
It Will Depend On What Bryant Wants
Will Bryant bleed another team into negotiations to ensure he gets paid as much as possible on his last significant contract? Or will he realize where he’s at in his career and truly look for a destination where he’s welcome? Again, time will tell.
The first thing Chicago needs to do is figure out what’s going to happen with Meredith and gauge the market price for a player like Bryant. With big needs left at OL, DE and ILB, bringing in Bryant would be a calculated risk depending on the terms of the deal.
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