Shortly after being cut by the Dallas Cowboys, Dez Bryant made it clear that he wants to stay in the NFC East when he spoke with NFL network.
As soon as Dez Bryant made his intentions known that he wants to remain in the NFC East after the Dallas Cowboys cut him on Friday, speculation began on if the New York Giants will make a run at trying to sign the 29-year-old wide receiver.
Bryant has vengeance on his mind when it comes to showing the Cowboys they were wrong for releasing him, so signing with the rival Giants would give him a shot at some payback.
“I won’t say any teams, but being in the division, that’s a huge possibility,” Bryant told NFL Network. “That’s a huge possibility. That’s something that I want.”
There’s one Giant in particular that we all know would be happy if Bryant signed with Big Blue and that’s Odell Beckham Jr. who is one of Bryant’s best friends in the league.
Cowboy nation I need you to know this wasn’t my decision.. I will always love y’all… forever Dallas in my heart
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) April 13, 2018
Bryant is not the receiver he used to be when he was voted first-team All-Pro in 2014, but he’s still a physically gifted receiver that could still be the number one receiving option for most teams in the NFL.
Last season with the Cowboys he had 69 receptions for 838 yards and six touchdowns.
Financially, the Giants could make a deal work with Bryant if they decide to cut Brandon Marshall. Marshall is on the final year of his contract, and the Giants could save $5.1 million if they cut him.
Marshall was ineffective last season with the Giants in the five games he played, catching 18 passes for 154 yards and zero touchdowns. So the idea of replacing Marshall with Bryant may seem like a no-brainer.
But if the Giants decide to sign Bryant, they would be making a huge mistake.
The Giants have several holes to fill but pass catchers isn’t one of them. In addition to already having OBJ and Marshall on the roster, the Giants have Sterling Shepard, who is entering his third season, and Evan Engram, who is coming off a monster rookie season where he set rookie franchise records for a tight end in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
Acquiring Bryant could stunt the growth of Shepard and Engram who have already developed a rapport with Eli Manning, and have shown they can be game-changing playmakers.
There are already several mouths to feed in their passing offense and adding someone the caliber of Bryant would cause conflict.
Unlike Marshall, Bryant still sees himself as a number one receiving option and he may get frustrated and be a distraction if he’s only getting a few targets a game. After all, he did leave Dallas as the all-time leader in touchdown receptions for the team.
Another reason why the Giants should stay clear of Bryant is because he has a huge personality and has a reputation of being a diva.
Everyone knows how tumultuous the Giants locker room was last season and it surely played some role in the team going 3-13 last season.
The new regime of general manager Dave Gettleman and head coach Pat Shurmur are trying to restore order in the Giants locker room. Even though Bryant is a talented player, he may not be the ideal fit for the locker room.
Bryant won’t be a free agent long, as he’s by far the best available free agent out there, and he’ll make whichever team signs him instantly better. But when he throws up the X next season, it shouldn’t be in a Giants uniform.
