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Dez Bryant Criticized For Prolonging Free Agent Status by Choice

By Erik Lambert

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys gestures toward the fans before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys gestures toward the fans before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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The situation surrounding Dez Bryant continues to be a puzzling one. By rights, someone with his background on the field should’ve been signed by now.

Teams can never have enough credible wide receivers on the roster. He’s been to Pro Bowls and was once considered among the 2-3 best in the NFL at one point. Sure he’s getting into his 30s and isn’t quite that same player, but there’s reason to think that in the right situation he can still do some damage. Yet several weeks have passed since being released and nothing has changed.

There isn’t even word on if he’s talking to teams. There’s a fog over the entire situation. All people have been able to do is talk to former teammates about what is happening to him and what may happen. NFL Network took that opportunity with former Cowboys teammate Orlando Scandrick. Turns out he had a surprising statement ready for why Bryant remains unsigned.

"“I think Dez is still a free agent by Dez’s choice a little bit. Am I surprised? No, but at the same time yes a little bit.”"

Scandrick is basically saying that Bryant has nobody to blame but himself for not being on a team already. It could be his excessive demands on a new contract. Reports were the receiver was close to a deal with Baltimore but backed out at the last second due to differences on the final deal. The fact he hasn’t gotten any action since might indicate an unwillingness to budge on those demands.

Scandrick believes Bryant is too good to stay available for much longer

Being a guy who went against Bryant in practice for years, Scandrick can say more than most whether the receiver has anything left to offer. Though he was critical of the man’s pickiness at finding a new job, he was the first to admit a desire to be teamed with him again. That became clear when asked where he feels Bryant should land.

"“Washington. I know Dez can still catch touchdowns. I know he can still be a great red zone threat. I mean I would love to play with him again.”"

The Redskins do indeed have a lingering situation at wide receiver. A number of question marks. The trio of Josh Doctson, Paul Richardson, and Jamison Crowder are intriguing but none of them offer a true size advantage and red zone capability for Alex Smith to exploit. Bryant would solve the problem the moment he arrived, as Scandrick said. It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming days and weeks.

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