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Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver Dez Bryant has been one of the polarizing players in the league through much of his first eight years of his NFL career. He has built a strong reputation for being an unfiltered player who speaks his mind on any issues, regardless of the situation.
Bryant has once again found himself in the center of the discussion surrounding a potential pay cut that he may have to agree to take in order to remain with the Cowboys in part due to his continued drop in production on the field. According to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News, the 29-year-old had a clear and strong response to his critics.
“I’m still working. I’m still grinding,” Bryant said. “I feel like I’m grinding more than ever because of me, not because of nobody else. It’s something that I want to do. It’s something I feel like I have to do.
“I let a lot of things get in the way that should have never got in the way. I’m ready to make my mark. I don’t care what nobody is talking about, I couldn’t care less. Everybody that ain’t with Dez Bryant, they can kiss my ass.”
There was no mincing of his words toward those who believe that he is overpaid in comparison to his level of production where he has failed to surpass more than 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons. He is also coming off a season that saw him produce just 69 catches on 133 targets for 838 receiving yards with six touchdowns.
This is a huge step down from what he had put together from 2012-14 where he had at least 88 catches, 1,200 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns in each campaign. His performance on the field not only warranted a lucrative contract but also established him as one of the best wide receivers in the league. However, his decline in production over the last few years has pushed him out of that conversation while putting in question if he is worth being paid as one of the best wideouts despite not playing like it.
Although the Cowboys are not expected to part ways with Bryant, it is clear that they want to step down from what's due to the former Pro Bowl wideout in the two years of his deal where he has $33 remaining on his five-year, $70 million deal. He is scheduled to make $16.5 million in salary and bonuses for the 2018 season, which will make him the second-highest paid player on the team behind All-Pro left tackle Tyr0n Smith.
