Dez Bryant has reached out to Stephen Jones about returning to the Dallas Cowboys
Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant has repeatedly talked in recent weeks about priming for a return to the NFL with his old team as his preferred landing spot.
“He has texted me that he would like to come back,” team vice president Stephen Jones said Thursday. “We have nothing but great respect for Dez and what he accomplished here. Certainly, as we look forward into the future we look at all opportunities and all potential players that could maybe help us out.”
Jones said the team has made no decision on Bryant as they are just starting to meet with coach Mike McCarthy about the personnel.
He also said no decisions have been made about bringing back linebacker Sean Lee or tight end Jason Witten in 2020.
A Bryant reunion would be interesting considering how things ended with him following the 2017 season. The team’s all-time leader in touchdown receptions was released in April of 2018 for salary reasons due to a decline in production.
But Bryant criticized the offense and blamed some team captains for hastening his departure.
After turning down a contract offer with the Baltimore Ravens, Bryant stayed on the sideline until signing with New Orleans Saints in November of 2018. But he suffered a torn Achilles in his second practice and was placed on injured reserve.
Bryant sat out all of the 2019 season getting himself mentally and physically ready to play, but no call ever came.
The former No. 1 receiver says he is ready to come back and has a new perspective on his career and his role.
He envisions himself as a red-zone threat and believes he can do more in Dallas with the opportunities the team gave Witten at tight end last year.
If not Dallas, he has made it clear that he wants to play in the NFL.
Bryant spent eight years with the Cowboy, recording 531 catches, 7,459 yards and a team-record 73 touchdown receptions.
But after having at least 88 catches for 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns from 2012-2014, the three-time Pro Bowl player did not surpass 900 yards receiving in each of his last three seasons.
At age 31, he said he is willing to accept a lesser role. The question is whether the Cowboys give him that chance.
This story was originally published February 7, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
