It has been way besides long since Dez Bryant has thrown upward the X in commemoration. Bryant, the former Pro Bowl receiver who shined with the Dallas Cowboys, hasn't played in the NFL since 2017. But like Colin Kaepernick and Tim Tebow earlier him, the thought of Bryant returning to the NFL has been a popular social media topic. For his part, Bryant has repeatedly said he wants to play again.

Will Dez Bryant ever play in the NFL over again? And if a team signs him for the 2022 flavour, what should be realistic expectations for the one-time first-round overall pick?

Dez Bryant enjoyed several standout campaigns with the Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys invested the No. 24 overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft on Bryant in hopes he'd become the team'south side by side star wide receiver. Bryant mostly lived upward to those lofty expectations on a Cowboys team that regularly underachieved or was dilapidated by offensive injuries. The 6-foot-ii Bryant averaged xiv yards a take hold of and recorded 73 touchdowns in his viii seasons. Bryant made three Pro Bowls, was named All-Pro in 2014, and totaled 218 yards in three playoff games.

Although character concerns were surrounding Bryant when he entered the NFL, his biggest problem with the Cowboys was the noise around him. Franchise quarterback Tony Romo missed one-half of Bryant'southward rookie season in 2010, likewise as the majority of the 2022 and 2022 seasons. Head coach Jason Garrett was regularly criticized for his playcalling. Possessor Jerry Jones has always been in the news for various reasons.

All in all, Bryant had a successful career in Dallas. Bryant defenseless 69 passes for 838 yards and six touchdowns in 2017, his final year with the Cowboys before he was released.

A devastating injury price Dez Bryant a chance at playing in 2018

Former Pro Bowl receiver Dez Bryant hasn't played in the NFL since 2022 with the Dallas Cowboys.
Former Pro Bowl receiver Dez Bryant hasn't played in the NFL since 2022 with the Dallas Cowboys. I Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Dez Bryant was cutting in April 2022 and remained on the free-agent market until November. It wasn't until the New Orleans Saints, en road to an NFC South championship, signed Bryant to a ane-year, $1.25 meg bargain. The Saints' hope was Bryant could contribute downwardly the stretch and assistance New Orleans back to the Super Bowl for the kickoff time in about a decade. If Bryant was unable to fill that part, the Saints could cut him without incurring likewise much of a financial hit.

Bryant didn't fifty-fifty take an opportunity to showcase his skills, though. Simply two days later signing with New Orleans, Bryant tore his Achilles tendon during practice. Bryant landed on injured reserve and watched from afar as the Saints' season ended in a controversial NFC championship game loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Will Dez Bryant play in the NFL over again?

Dez Bryant has been adamant that he wants to play professional football again. Bryant spent almost of the 2022 season rehabbing from the Achilles injury and even hoped to sign with a team before the playoffs began. That never came to fruition, however, and Bryant is however a free agent.

In that location are worse players to bring in on a 1-year, prove-it bargain than Bryant. It'south entirely possible that his all-time years are backside him, merely the fourth dimension away from football could prove beneficial, especially for a squad that keeps Bryant on a snaps limit. The New York Jets can use a playmaking receiver to pair with quarterback Sam Darnold and a receiver from the draft, though Jets head passenger vehicle Adam Gase has feuded with veteran receivers before.

Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have Pro Bowl receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans in place, just Bryant would be an interesting depth option. Amari Cooper joined the Cowboys after Bryant left and recently said he'd like to play with Bryant at some point.