Stop the presser! Hold the phone! We have breaking news! Dez Bryant is the newest member of the New Orleans Saints. I started to think that Dez Bryant would never play in the NFL again. Now Dez will join Sean Payton and Drew Brees with the Saints. The terms of the deal have not been announced as of yet.
Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com was the first to report the news:
Hearing from a source that the Saints have signed Dez Bryant. We’re working to confirm officially.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) November 7, 2018
This signing ends a pretty lengthy unemployment streak for Dez. Bryant was cut in April by the Cowboys. He then turned down a 3-year deal worth $21 million. After that, he turned down a one-year deal with the Browns worth $5 million prior to the start of the season. Now Bryant will sign week 10 and likely for pennies. It was a big-time lunatic move to turn down that much money but he may have a Super Bowl ring to show for it as the Saints have been unbeaten since Week 1.
The truth is that Dez Bryant hasn’t been a good wide receiver in a very long time. He played all 16 games last year and only caught 69 balls for 838 yards. He hasn’t had a 1,000-yard season since 2014. That same year he caught 16 touchdowns. Maybe Dak Prescott and Jason Garrett are to blame for some of those struggles but there’s no question that he has issues separating from coverage.
Drew Brees may be able to resurrect his career. Michael Thomas is one of the best receivers in the NFL. They also have Tre’Quan Smith who has emerged as a solid option in the passing game. Bryant seems to be taking that Willie Snead role as a big wide receiver in the slot. The Saints currently sit at 7-1. The question now is whether Bryant hurts or helps their cause.
