Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant runs after making a catch during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in December. Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI |
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Dez Bryant is one who feeds off emotion, so much so that Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said that the wide receiver's antics sometimes can be a distraction.
Jones spoke about the future of Bryant, who is slated to make a $12.5 million base salary and account for a $16.5 million cap charge next season. Jones said he is weighing all options when it comes to a 29-year-old wide receiver that has failed to record a 1,000-yard season in each of his last three years.
"Tony (Romo) certainly his game, they kind of tailored it to one another," Jones said on the "Hangin' With The Boys" podcast/radio show Monday. "When Dak (Prescott) came in, he certainly is not going to play the game exactly like Tony played the game. I think it hasn't ever just hit on all cylinders yet in term of how Dak-and-Dez the connection works. I think it's a work in progress. I think it could improve if given the opportunity.
"The other thing that we all see and it is certainly visible to anyone who watches our games, watches our sideline, is Dez is certainly a fiery guy who plays with a lot of emotion both on and off the field. Sometimes that can be a distraction. It can be a distraction for Dez; it can be a distraction for other teammates. We just have to really get our hands around when you put all the full body of work together where that's headed."
Bryant, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, has 150 receptions over the last three seasons and has failed to reach double-digit touchdowns since 2014.
"Of course, we pay Dez a lot of money, and he knows that. He's as aware of it as anybody," Jone said. "... He knows when you get paid that kind of money there's high expectations in terms of the productivity. ... Those are all things we have to look at as a team, as an organization when we start to put our team together for next year."
Prior to the season finale, Bryant told reporters that he would resist a pay cut.
"I haven't heard no talk about that but if it comes, I don't know, probably not," Bryant said at the time. "Hell no, man. I believe in me."
The Cowboys can free $8.5 million if they release Bryant or $12 million if he is designated as a post-June 1 cut, with him counting $4 million against the cap in 2019.
Bryant, who has gone a career-worst 23 regular-season games without a 100-yard performance, had a team-leading 69 receptions for 838 yards with six touchdowns in 16 games this season.
