It isn't easy to see a player that has meant so much for the Dallas Cowboys part ways with the team. If watching Tony Romo do it last year wasn't enough, now fans have to endure watching Dez Bryant get released less than two weeks before the NFL Draft.
There's a reason why this move happened, that much is clear. As for what was that reason, we don't exactly know and probably, never will. But anyone putting attention on Sundays knows that his production wasn't the same than before.
Dez essentially had three consecutive disappointing seasons. After receiving the enormous contract that he did in three years ago he failed to meet expectations. 2015 saw Tony Romo and Dez Bryant suffer unfortunate injuries, making things more than difficult for the entire team. 2016 was the year of “adapting to the new kid, Dak Prescott.” And 2017, well… was the year that ended his time wearing the Star.
The way this situation was handled and the timing of it is what really drew so much frustration from a large amount of fans. Why do it in the middle of April? This wasn't about the salary cap at all. This was simply about #88 not being in the Cowboys' plans for 2018 and him not fitting into the “Dak-friendly” offense we've heard so much about.
The other thing that has a large portion of Cowboys Nation upset is that…
Today, the Dallas Cowboys are not a better football team.
Sure, Dez didn't produce how he was supposed to. He wasn't justifying his salary on the field. He was getting paid like something he stopped being a long time ago: an elite wide receiver.
It hurts to admit it, but it's the truth. Having said that, though, the Cowboys' roster didn't improve after they cut him. Right now, Allen Hurns, Cole Beasley and Terrance Williams represent the team's most important receivers.
Now, these guys are not bad. But they're way too far from being an ideal group if the Cowboys are trying to play in January next season.
Even still, it's too early to throw this season's tickets away or cancel your TV sports' subscriptions. Dallas may not be better now, but they can be.
We've been talking about Seahawks' Earl Thomas for a while now. With a need at safety, the front office should be thinking long and hard about making a move for the 28-year old safety now that they have some extra cap space and could give him his desired extension.
Giving up a second round pick might be too much, but if Dallas thinks they can extend him and land one of the best safeties in the league, it's definitely an option worth considering. Why not pull the trigger?
Wide receiver and offensive guard seems like the direction this team will take if they keep their first two draft picks. Maybe you can find talent for either position in the third round, or trade up to get back in the second round and take a talented guard there if they ship the 50th pick to Seattle.
Seattle needs draft picks. They currently don't own a second or third rounder. They're going through some sort of unexpected rebuild and might appreciate the picks.
From the Cowboys perspective, it really would answer the “why?” many fans are asking themselves.
Why did they let Dez go in the middle of April, when the cap space isn't needed? Why make WR an even more urgent need for the team, forcing them to limit themselves to WR and OL in the first rounds? Simply, why let Dez walk if they don't have a plan?
I'm pretty sure getting Earl Thomas would answer those questions. Many fans would see the logic and be relieved to see it was worth it. Relieved to see that after all the drama, the front office had things planned out. It would make things make sense.
For now, we wait. Perhaps the move won't happen at all, perhaps it'll happen soon or perhaps it happens on Draft night, taking us all by surprise. At the end of the day, the NFL is full of surprises, even when it comes to beloved veterans.
Cowboys fans should know that better than anyone.
