The NFL offseason can lead to wild ideas from people with regards to their favorite football team, suggestions like who they should sign, trade, etc. There are ideas that pop up every year that are part of the usual rotation. Some believe that Tony Romo should return to the organization as head coach, people have long clamored for DeMarcus Ware to work on the defensive staff, most of these wants and wishes involve players of old returning in some sort of capacity. Re-living the good ol’ days, sort of.
Many Cowboys fans have started to attach themselves to one particular idea this offseason, though. There are those that want to see the team bring in a former face as a player once more. People want to see Dez Bryant return to America’s Team.
Dez Bryant has reportedly reached out to Stephen Jones about a return
Last time that Dez Bryant played an NFL game the Philadelphia Eagles did not have a Super Bowl trophy in their building (these were simpler times). It was the 2017 regular season finale in the City of Brotherly Love where he last played an NFL contest as the Cowboys released him just about two years ago.
Bryant signed with the New Orleans Saints during the middle of the 2018 season and began to set up what would have been a return to AT&T Stadium for him as the Saints were set to visit the Cowboys (the most iconic victory the 2018 Cowboys ended up having, by the way). Unfortunately, Dez was hurt before playing a game for New Orleans.
According to Dez via social media outlets, he is ready to get back in the game here in 2020. The Cowboys all-time leader in receiving touchdowns has been posting plenty of videos of himself working out (interestingly on the property that The Star sits on) and has reached out to Stephen Jones according to the Fort-Worth Star Telegram.
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.
It sure would be interesting to see Bryant return to the Cowboys, but it’s worth noting that a lot has happened since he and the team parted ways. While much of the dissolution may have involved former head coach Jason Garrett, the reality still exists that Dez has called out several people with current and potential relations to the organization.
Remember that Dez referred to Sean Lee as “Snake Lee” and called out Travis Frederick as being among the “Garrett guys.” Things like this should be overlooked in the name of winning, obviously, but if the Cowboys don’t feel that Dez would make that noticeable of an offensive difference then maybe they don’t see the option as being truly worth it.
Former Cowboys WR @DezBryant working with @DRobAlwayzOpen at the Sports Performance Center at The Star in Frisco today.
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) February 6, 2020
Dez is down 10 pounds in recent weeks and is at his playing weight again. pic.twitter.com/Tyasl6Go8a
The Cowboys really struggled to find offensive production in their initial post-Dez life. It was actually so bad that they wound up trading for Amari Cooper. With Cooper needing a new deal and Randall Cobb as another option to potentially return, plus Michael Gallup’s emergence, it’s hard to see how their is room for Bryant on offense.
There is no denying the nostalgia associated with bringing Dez back and perhaps the football of it all makes sense to now-head coach Mike McCarthy. Dallas has put a lot of time between their current selves and their Dez selves so maybe they feel it best not to re-visit an iconic, but older, chapter of their history.