It’s been almost a week since the Dallas Cowboys made the widely criticized, but potentially correct, move to release Dez Bryant. A move that was met with a bevy of emotions from fans and teammates alike is still at the forefront of conversation within Cowboys Nation.
As many are still trying to cope with the idea of 88 throwing up the X for another team in 2018, let’s take a look back at the reactions surrounding this controversial news.
Current and Former Cowboys
A lot of the focus has been on his now-former teammates and their reaction to Dez Bryant no longer being with the team. Jason Witten had a lot to say on his long-time teammate.
Like this, provided by David Helman of DallasCowboys.com.
Jason Witten, with some introspective comments about the nature of the NFL, when he was asked tonight for his reaction to Dez Bryant’s release: pic.twitter.com/jQ8tyEnjXE
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) April 18, 2018
Jason Garrett was in full regular-season mode when giving his thoughts on Bryant’s departure.
Jason Garrett: “I love Dez Bryant. He’s one of the great players to ever play for this franchise. It’s certainly an emotional time. It wasn’t an easy decision to make. … We’re gonna move forward, Dez is gonna move forward, and hopefully we’ll have a lifelong relationship.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 18, 2018
Jon Machota, who is one of the best at gathering player reactions to storylines, found this one and provided it for the masses.
Michael Irvin on @nflnetwork: "Are the Dallas Cowboys a better football team without Dez Bryant? The absolute answer to that right now is no."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 17, 2018
One more from Jon, this time from Dallas Cowboys’ linebacker, Sean Lee.
Sean Lee said it would be “torture” to have to play against Dez Bryant in a game. “As a linebacker I always felt it was like tackling a running back with how hard he ran, how tough he was. That would be extremely tough for us.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 18, 2018
Rob Ryan may not have worked out very well here as a defensive coordinator, but this analysis from his time with the Dallas Cowboys is pretty cool.
"When I was there, he was ruled out the last 4 weeks of the season, and he made himself play. You've got to tip your cap to him. He's a real competitor. I know he'll find work, and he'll be great for somebody." — Former Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan on Dez Bryant pic.twitter.com/MzCDuANzgR
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) April 15, 2018
Media Reaction
NFL.com provided this treasure of Dez Bryant highlights for you and me to consume instead of grief eating.
Leaving as another legendary No. 88.
And the all-time franchise leader in touchdown catches.@DezBryant's best career plays with the @DallasCowboys! https://t.co/To3MtIDP22— NFL (@NFL) April 14, 2018
Pro Football Focus provided this little nugget, potentially explaining Dez’s lack of efficiency over the last three seasons. Though, as Inside The Star contributor Christopher Watjen correctly wondered, what would it look like if you took away the abysmal quarterback play of 2015?
Dez Bryant has seen a reduction in catchable targets over the past three seasons pic.twitter.com/aynrkMJ2CU
— PFF (@PFF) April 17, 2018
Ross Tucker from NBC Sports thought like many of us did, that they left a bit of a hole on the roster with the release of Dez.
Looking through all of the depth charts the team that could clearly use Dez Bryant the most is the … Dallas Cowboys.
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) April 16, 2018
The DallasCowboys.com‘ Talkin’ Cowboys crew gives their thoughts on what led to Bryant’s release.
The @TalkinCowboys crew gives their perspective on why the #DallasCowboys let go of Dez Bryant.
🎥 https://t.co/lqvMyQ3lQ7 pic.twitter.com/XPqmK20k5t
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 17, 2018
Potential Suitors for Dez Bryant’s Services
The race to recruit Dez is already underway and players from the Houston Texans are already making a push.
Not sure who DeAndre Hopkins got to do this photo edit, but other than Dez with a different star on his helmet, it’s pretty awesome.
https://twitter.com/DeAndreHopkins/status/984871079314411522
Tyrann Mathieu, who called out the Dallas Cowboys defensive backs about a week ago, has gotten in on the Dez Bryant recruiting as well.
Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era), @DeAndreHopkins lobbying for @DezBryant to join Texans: https://t.co/WRTbh4zb00 pic.twitter.com/L2U22Z25Db
— NFL (@NFL) April 18, 2018
Baltimore has become a popular destination for veteran free agents over the last several years, especially wide receivers. See Anquan Boldin and Mike Wallace, for example.
This one from Bleacher Report breaks down several places that could be options for Dez Bryant’s services, including the Ravens.
Where will he land?
Dez Bryant checks all the boxes the Ravens look for in a WR. (via @SimmsandLefkoe) pic.twitter.com/9bLdBHvCYc
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 17, 2018
If you’re into Las Vegas betting lines, this one might interest you as well. The Green Bay Packers seem to be the favorite to land Dez Bryant. Lord, help us all.
Vegas considers Packers one the favorites to sign Dez Bryant https://t.co/qbp6d4j15f
— The Packers Wire (@ThePackersWire) April 17, 2018
Mike Fisher from 105.3 The Fan and 24/7 Sports had a sit down interview with Dez after the release and Bryant discussed the places he’d most like to go. Some really good quotes in there from Dez and some good insight from Fish as well.
Deztination: Where In The NFL Will #Cowboys Ex Dez Bryant Land? Come Inside And See His Wish List https://t.co/mgbgAZNbfc pic.twitter.com/Dd5BROIoXC
— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) April 16, 2018
And this one from our own Jess Haynie was just funny. Sorry, couldn’t not include it.
If the last four days of sports media have taught us anything….
Even when he's not even on a team, Dez Bryant can't escape coverage. pic.twitter.com/waUBaRoEKS
— Jess Haynie (@CowboysAddicts) April 16, 2018
Fan Reaction
Because you, the fan, are the reason we do this, let’s give you some more tweets to help you grieve the loss of the Cowboys’ all-time leader in touchdown receptions.
This is a pretty pragmatic approach to the upcoming draft, and I think he’s right. Getting left guard fixed is more of a priority than drafting someone to replace Dez Bryant.
I think this team’s need to replace Ron Leary has bigger implications on the season than their need to replace Dez Bryant.
— j-flo (@tvjflo) April 16, 2018
Dez caught a lot of touchdowns during his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys, but this one still sticks out to @DCBlueStar.
I still get the remember the call from @DezBryant’s first TD. I kid you not, it randomly pops in my head, and it plays on repeat.
“There goes the rookie! Right around Maynard! Touch. Down. Dallas. No flags.”
— DCBlueStar (@DCBlueStar) April 13, 2018
Will here captured a pretty important moment in the Dez Bryant era with this tweet. Dez felt how we all felt when the “Dez Caught It” play was overturned.
Man I'd say the Dez catch game was more significant, you could see the heartbreak in @DezBryant eyes when the call was made. Potentially cost Dez, Tony, DeMarco and the rest of the 14' team a Lombardi imo
— Will.I.Am (@KnoWatImSaiyan) April 17, 2018
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