Dallas Cowboys: Dez Bryant says he’ll be better, but we’ve heard that before

Since signing his five-year, $70 million contract before the 2015 season, Dez Bryant has been a massive bust for the Dallas Cowboys, even if he doesn’t think so

It’s been widely discussed this season that Dez Bryant hasn’t been what the Dallas Cowboys hoped for. For some reason, that’s come as a shock, although it really shouldn’t. Since inking a five-year contract worth $70 million ahead of the 2015 season, Bryant has been a huge disappointment.

He had 31 receptions that season in what was excused as an injury-plagued year. Bryant then followed it up with just 50 catches for 796 yards in 2016 — but again the excuses were there. He still was battling health issues, and was learning a new quarterback as the Cowboys had switched from Tony Romo to Dez Bryant. But this season, this one would be different. Only it wasn’t.

Bryant again routinely failed the team, and in their past game he hit a new low. After apparently getting upset on the sideline for not getting involved in the game, Bryant got his wish. He was hit with a pass from Prescott, and immediately fumbled the ball away. He then had another pass go off his hands, and land in the mitts of a Seattle Seahawks defender.

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Again, the Dez excuse birds were out, as they all pointed out that the aforementioned tipped pick wasn’t a perfect pass from Prescott. While that may be true, Bryant isn’t one of the highest paid receivers just because he’s expected to haul in perfect passes. He makes that much because he should be making the crazy catches look routine.

Bryant though much be buying into the excuses. Despite going into the final game with just 66 receptions for 814 yards and six touchdowns, Bryant believes he’s worth the $16.5 million cap hit he will count in 2018. He believes it so much that he vehemently denied that he would even consider a pay cut if the only team he’s ever played for asked him to take one.

"“I haven’t heard no talk about that but if it comes, I don’t know, probably not,” Bryant said Wednesday according to Todd Archer of ESPN. “Hell naw, man. I believe in me.”"

Bryant didn’t stop there. He went on to express he has extreme confidence in himself and offered up the same “everything will be better next year” hope. Again according to Archer, Bryant said 2018 will be different than the past three have been.

"“But, hey, it’s probably going to be my best offseason yet because I’m going to enjoy the s— out of it. You better believe that. … I’m going to enjoy it. I’m going to get my body checked out. I’m going to make sure I’m right in all angles. And I’m looking forward. I’m just looking forward. I got my mind on 2018. I got my mind on spending time with my family. I got my mind on everything that I need to have it on. I’m set in stone. Like, I’m ready.”"

Anyone who follows the team has to cringe hearing that kind of talk. Fans have grown weary of head coach Jason Garrett and owner Jerry Jones constantly saying the next year will be better, only to be fed more of the same mediocrity.

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While there’s no accountability for Garrett according to Jones, there should be some for Bryant. His salary is way too high to justify him being a guy who doesn’t put up elite numbers. While taking a pay cut may keep him in town, Bryant is defiant in that regard which means he may have signed his own release.

Sure, he says he will be better next year, but we have all heard that before.