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In the last couple of years, Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver Dez Bryant's long-term future with the organization has come into question. Much has centered his dip his production that has only heightened the attention that his strong personality both on and off the field that has drawn over the years.
It has become more prevalent of a topic over the last year with Tony Romo out of the picture in retirement. That said, Romo has backed his former teammate by stating that Bryant is “misunderstood” as he behavior has constantly been viewed in a negative light, according to Peter Dawson of the Star-Telegram.
“As far as personality between the two, they're also a little bit different. I think Dez is misunderstood in a lot ways. I know there a times where he can get talking and be volatile on the sideline and stuff, but a lot of it is positive. I've had every receiver who wants the ball. I think what you'll find is there's so many personalities on the football field. When the receivers are more demonstrative on the sideline and stuff, they're just more demonstrative than offensive linemen. But people can be pouty in different ways. They can do anything in different ways. They just are vocal sometimes where you can see it on camera.
Much of what Romo has described is what many have singled as being detrimental to the team, but hasn't necessarily been brought up by teammates as that being the case. In fact, many of his current and former teammates have backed and spoken highly of him throughout the years.
However, what has made this a prominent topic of discussion is the notable drop in production he had over the last few years that has seen him fail to crack 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last three campaigns. He is coming off a year where he hauled in a team-best 69 catches on 133 targets for 838 receiving yards with six touchdowns.
This is a significant drop from the elite-level production that he put forth from 2012-14 where he recorded in at least 88 catches for 1,200 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in each season. His play at that point fully warranted him the current deal he has made him one of the top-paid wide receivers in the league that helped him garner a five-year, $70 million deal.
Bryant is simply no longer performing at a level that would be reasonable for his $16.5 million in base salary and bonuses next season. This has foreseeably led to the team look into possibly getting a pay cut from the $33 million remaining in the final two years of his deal. Ultimately, if he can get back to playing at a Pro Bowl level the questions concerning his long-term future in Dallas would dissipate.
