Packers Reportedly Not Interested in WR Dez Bryant
-- Not that it should come as much of a shock, but the chances that Dez Bryant ends up in Green Bay took a hit on Tuesday.
According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, the Green Bay Packers haven't expressed any interest in signing the former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver as of late.
New TV analyst Jason Witten isn't wrong. The #Packers have been considered a possible Dez Bryant landing spot... but they aren't engaged now and nothing is imminent. pic.twitter.com/0ylUSaygJZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 15, 2018
The Packers were, however, one of the initial teams who indeed seemed invested in the concept of Bryant potentially playing in Green Bay after the Cowboys released him in April. That was before the Packers drafted three receivers in the draft two weeks ago, though.
J'Mon Moore in the fourth round, Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the fifth round and Equanimeous St. Brown in the sixth may have put to bed any likelihood that the Packers pursue Bryant.
The Packers were among two other primary teams -- the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens -- to have expressed early interest in Bryant. The Ravens actually offered Bryant a multi-year deal to which he turned down, wanting more of a one-year deal with a club.
Something the Packers can certainly offer with the roughly estimated $16 million in cap space they have, per Over the Cap.
If Bryant was to be signed by a team, now would be the precise time for it to happen. The deadline for teams to be docked compensatory picks for next year's draft was last Tuesday, which opens the door for any veteran still on the market searching for a new team.
The Packers, meanwhile, may want to move forward with their young receiving corps and give them a chance to gel in offseason team activities (OTAs) with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The influx of speculation on Bryant's most popular landing destination was a result of his former teammate and Cowboys tight end Jason Witten's comments on The Adam Schefter Podcast.
"I think Dez is certainly going to have some great opportunities. He's motivated and I think he's going to end up going to the Green Bay Packers," Witten said. "Aaron Rodgers, he throws that back-shoulder throw so well and Dez has great chemistry with a good quarterback that can put the ball wherever he wants.
"I still believe Dez can high-point the football as good as any other wide receiver in the National Football League. So, you partner him up with Jimmy Graham and Aaron Rodgers, I think that offense can put up a lot of points."
If the Packers were to sign Bryant, they'd preferably want to get it done prior to OTAs. That'd give Bryant more than enough time to get accustomed to the offensive system and mesh with Rodgers.
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (29)
Bearmeat
May 15, 2018 at 05:16 pm
I'd support a veteran outside guy on a cheap 1 year deal. As it stands now, if Adams gets hurt, we'll struggle down the field and outside the numbers. Cobb and Jimmy aren't outside threats and the rooks have the tools, but it's going to take time for them to develop. The rest of our WR vets suck. For Dez, it'd make sense too. Say he manages a 75-850-10 season... which is right in line with what WR2s have been averaging under ARod (outside of 2011 and 2014). He'd make HUGE money in FA in 2019.
That said, he's a baby and a loudmouth. MM and AR don't put up with that. Look at what just happened to Randall...
Minniman
May 15, 2018 at 06:20 pm
I wonder if the experience of being cut doesn't help put a lid on Dez's ego for a while.
On face value I like the idea of a high caliber 1 year rental, but if it did eventuate then it would signal that there's going to be some house cleaning in the WR room - as Dez would command and need significant reps with AR to build a working relationship (at the expense of the depth players - so why keep them).
I also wonder if the Packers want to see how this incumbent depth chart WR's and draftees perform in preseason before such a commitment.
Bearmeat
May 15, 2018 at 08:56 pm
Rookie WRs can't be depended on to produce in year 1. Ever. Especially those drafted on day 3. I like the ceiling of all 3 guys too - but we have to be realistic.
And yeah, I do think the remaining vets (outside of Davante) won't be on the team come 2019. None of them.
Finwiz
May 16, 2018 at 10:33 am
Agree completely. Sure seems like they need another veteran but maybe they think they're good with Cobb, Adams and Graham, supplemented by the rookies and other holdovers.
Lare
May 15, 2018 at 06:23 pm
I agree. The physical abilities of Dez Bryant would be a plus to their offense, a player that other teams would have to gameplan for. However, I think the mental aspects of dealing with Dez Bryant end up being a negative to the team.
We had a Martellus Bennett last year, we certainly don't need another one this year.
Bearmeat
May 15, 2018 at 08:49 pm
The difference is at this point, what's the risk? If he's an A-hole, you cut his rear end the next day. Martellus was a high end investment, that's what hurt.
Thegreatreynoldo
May 16, 2018 at 12:52 am
Bennett's one year out was $8.05M. He didn't quite get that since he didn't even last a whole season, but he got most of it. I am not persuaded about Bryant's talent or his fit. Remember his base salary becomes guaranteed if he's on the roster for week one. The $ can be taken care of through contract structure if Dez really wants to.
worztik
May 15, 2018 at 06:24 pm
NO... JUST NO!!!
Qoojo
May 15, 2018 at 07:39 pm
Nelson would produce more in this offense, so I doubt they will have any interest, unless the herd of WRs after Adams and Cobb show nothing.
HankScorpio
May 16, 2018 at 06:03 am
When Jordy was asked about his departure, he said he was considering taking the reported "significant" pay cut until he talked with the team about it. He said they didn't want to make it work.
Reading between the lines, all the Packers had to offer Jordy is a few kind words and chump change contract. They would not even offer that.
Whatever you think about what Jordy might have produced, it is clear the Packers thought he would produce nothing. Zip, Zilch. Nada. Done like a dinner.
Can we please stop acting like the situation is different than it is?
Qoojo
May 16, 2018 at 01:41 pm
Sorry, I did not make the inference simple enough for people. Here it is spelled out. Packers were not that interested in their own older in decline WR unless he signed cheap, and was easy to cut. Thus, they won't be interested in another team's older WR in decline and who has not seen a 1k receiving yard season since 2014.
Is that clear enough to draw the lines now? Jordy would be the better WR in this system with Rodgers. Bryant is old, a headcase, and in decline. It does not make any sense, i.e. not logical, for them to show more interest in a lower performing option, unless it's at a much reduced rate.
HankScorpio
May 17, 2018 at 06:32 am
That's as clear as it was the first time you said the same thing in fewer words. It still fails to address the concepts that the Packers A) wanted nothing to do with Jordy Nelson B) Have been shopping for WR help ever since they let Jordy go and C) Might not view Dez Bryant in the exact same way they view Jordy Nelson.
IMO, it is extremely doubtful they do view Bryant and Nelson in the exact same light. Bryant is 3.5 years younger and has a completely different temperament. If they are really not interested in Bryant, I would guess it has more to do with his locker room presence than thinking he cannot contribute anything on the field. The point is that they are completely different players and people. Using Jordy's situation to read anything into the interest (or lack thereof) in Dez doesn't have much basis in reality.
Qoojo
May 17, 2018 at 08:59 am
Same position. Same role. Not interested in A. B < A. Thus, it makes no sense to think that they are interested in B. While A and B are completely independent, they both must pass the same judgment or criteria for the position.
You are saying that it doesn't make sense to compare. Ok, whatever.
croatpackfan
May 16, 2018 at 03:27 am
In any case - NO! And again NO!
Why Cowboys kick him in the ass out of Dallas? Because he is so good?
If he is that good, do you really think Jerry would cut him without any negotiations first...
He is heavily radioactive...
You do not want to contaminate your locker room for average player (he is not player from the past, his stats are dropping faster and faster)!
NickPerry
May 17, 2018 at 05:06 am
He wouldn't renegotiate and was scheduled to make what, $16 million this season? The Cowboys needed cap space and Bryant was the easiest way to get about $8 million additional cap dollars. I believe that's why he was cut Croat.
dobber
May 17, 2018 at 07:53 am
They're a run-first team and will win games based on their OL. Plodding Alfred Morris showed he could be productive in that offense when Zeke was out for 6 games last year. They're gambling that it won't matter who Dak Prescott is throwing the ball to.
Cartwright
May 16, 2018 at 04:58 am
Still think we need a veteran WR to compliment Devante on the other side. If not this head case then someone else who will need to be accounted for. I'm guessing they'll wait for cut down day during training camp and see what pops up. Otherwise it's going to be a roll of the dice as we here Allison yell, Geronimooooo!
HankScorpio
May 16, 2018 at 07:07 am
For a WR-QB combo to get timing down can take months, even years. I seriously doubt the Packers will wait until final cut downs and then make a move.
If they are going to add a vet, they will do so before TC starts, IMO.
dobber
May 16, 2018 at 08:04 am
Given how little ARod plays in preseason games...
NickPerry
May 16, 2018 at 05:15 am
As much as I think Bryant could be a cancer in any locker room, I don't think it's the absolute worst thing. Yes he has a big mouth. Yes he pouts and throws things. No he wouldn't be happy be the #3 or #4 option....BUT the Packers have absolutely NOTHING that is proven behind Adams, Cobb, and new TE Graham.
No matter what Bryant has or hasn't done the last few seasons I think with Rodgers throwing the ball to him he becomes dangerous again. If you think about what it COULD be like it is awfully interesting. Talk about a DC worst nightmare when asked to defend an offense with Adams, Cobb, Graham, Bryant, and Monty or Jones in the backfield and Rodgers slinging the ball. I could get over Bryant being such a A-Hole really quickly. As BM has mentioned the moment he becomes one he's shown the door. Then it just becomes about the money. Dez has made a boat load already. IF the Packers could get him REALLY cheap for ONE season why not??
But at the end of the day I think there's a snowballs chance in hell of the Packers signing Bryant.
I like all the new toys Gutekunst drafted at the WR position and there is the possibility Moore could contribute. But history under McCarthy suggests they won't get a lot of production from Moore or anyone else that's a rookie.
Side note... I don't think you can look at it as Jordy for Dez. Nelson is probably my favorite Packers WR since the 60's along with Sharpe or Lofton...I love me some Jordy Nelson. But he definitely lost step's and the Packers did NEED to free up cap space. We all have to get over that one.
HankScorpio
May 16, 2018 at 07:24 am
My only quibble with any of this is about the rookie WR production history under MM. Jennings, Cobb, Jones, Nelson and Adams all made a contribution as rookies with at least 350 yards as rookies. A couple of them had significantly more than that. Maybe we're just quibbling over "lots of production". I would view 350 yards as 4th option level production. Is that "lots"? For me, it is. I can see someone saying it is not all that significant.
The good news is that they Packers have guys that seem capable of producing at the level of 1-3 options in Adams, Cobb & Graham. Add in a nice compliment from the run game with Jones and Williams and 350-400 from a rook might be a nice part of a pretty good overall picture.
NickPerry
May 17, 2018 at 05:14 am
Believe me, I was thinking of Jennings and Jones as I was typing. Those two did have what a would call very productive rookie seasons.
Jones 47 catches for 676 yards.
Jennings 45 catches for 632.
Both of those guys rookie seasons were with Favre throwing the ball though, not Rodgers.
IF Moore was to give the Packers that production I would think everybody would be pretty damn happy. I know I would.
HankScorpio
May 17, 2018 at 07:45 am
I would definitely be happy with that, too. But i'd settle for a bit less from Moore, as long they are looking at the entire depth chart for contributions. The bottom line is that we all want Rodgers at a certain production level on the year. Whether that is achieved via big contribution from a small group or smaller contributions from a bigger group doesn't matter to that bottom line.
I'm not worried that the they don't the same established depth at WR that they have in the past. In fact, I think it is something that can ultimately be a good thing. There is less temptation to get into 11 personnel and stay there for most of the game. I think Allison and Moore can both make a meaningful contribution but neither are so established that they will worry about having them sit out some plays while they attack the defense with something other than 11 personnel. When I look at the offense, I'm not stopping at the 4th pass catch option. I keep going to the 8th, 9th, 10th. If the Packers approach it like that, I think they have plenty to get it done this year, even with the caveat that some of those guys are not mature NFL talents.
Tundraboy
May 16, 2018 at 03:37 pm
Agree NP. Another Lofton isn't coming any time soon, so hopefully a couple of these new guys can be Brooks or Driver in the meantime.
flackcatcher
May 16, 2018 at 05:40 pm
Repeating my self from the other Dez thread. IAMGUTE is committed to a youth movement otherwise Jordy would still be a Packer. Win now vs win forever. It is a risk, but the Packers have to get younger now only to drive the cap down, but to deal with the injury situation that has plagued this team since 2010. As we know Dez is a massive head case, and after he who shall not be named burned the club house and front office, I don't think the team has any stomach for that kind of behavior.
calabasa
May 16, 2018 at 01:10 pm
In my mind, the only PROVEN A-list talent catching balls from AR is Davante Adams. Graham may prove it; I hope so. Cobb is just not top level. Useful in the slot, that's fine. And there may be talent below them, but again, unproven.
So...Arod ages. The window closes. If Dez is still a difference-maker (or, viewed relative to the Packers' roster, a big improvement) why not do a 1-yr $7M trial?
Remember when Randy Moss was available? How'd that work out for the Pats?
Or when TT passed on Lynch, etc? Seahawks are pretty happy with that 3rd-round pick they gave up. (where are you, RB from Hawaii? Alex something?)
Like someone recently said, "This isn't the Boy Scouts. This is the NFL."
Oppy
May 16, 2018 at 03:29 pm
I get, and agree, with what you're saying.
But let's not get crazy and start talking about comparisons- however casual- between Dez Bryant and the likes of Randy Moss or Marshawn Lynch.
Not even in the same stratosphere. Those guys are HOF talents. Dez Bryant is... not.
Tundraboy
May 16, 2018 at 03:41 pm
Very torn for all the obvious reasons, but 1 year, why not. ARod throwing him the ball would possibly resurrect his game. Dak is no ARod and as much I think Dez is an ass, and a hothead, his ego, and motivation to stick it to Dallas would be a welcome spark to the WR group. Other than someone like Maclin, who else is available this year? We must have a veteran starter besides Adams and Cobb. We can also add if need be a lower priced vet after all the cuts. And there will be plenty of those. Let this play out and if someone else overpays for him, fine. If he's smart he'll realize it would be a great opportunity to play with Rodgers.
4thand1
May 17, 2018 at 09:52 am
Diva Dez wants only one thing, to sign in the NFCE and stick it to Jerry and "Garret's boys". If he really wanted to play football he could have signed with the Ravens. If he was with the Packers and Hundley, he would have pulled a M Bennett in a heartbeat, whah whah whah. This guy is a cancer who has nothing but a bad attitude and get back mentality. No class and the total opposite of a class act like Jordy.