Would Dez Bryant take a pay cut? 'Hell, no,' he says

Frank Schwab
·NFL writer

At least Dez Bryant’s confidence isn’t shaken.

Near the end of a season in which his numbers were down and many wondered if he could still separate from top cornerbacks, it’s reasonable to wonder if the Dallas Cowboys will ask their No. 1 receiver to restructure his contract (that, or cutting Bryant, is one of the five steps Charles Robinson identified for the Cowboys to be Super Bowl contenders next season).

Bryant isn’t feeling it.

“I haven’t heard no talks of that, but if it comes … I don’t know, probably not. Hell, no. I believe in me, yeah,” Bryant said, via Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News.

Well, that should be a short negotiating session, if it comes to that.

Bryant is slated to make $12.5 million in base salary next season, according to Spotrac. He has been a great receiver, but this season he has just 815 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games. He is averaging just 12.3 yards per catch, which would be the worst mark of his career. Bryant is only 29 years old, but he looked like he was on the decline this season. As the Cowboys were eliminated with a loss to the Seahawks last week, Bryant had just 43 yards, lost a crucial fumble and a pass that went off his hands was intercepted.

If Bryant has any concerns about his play slipping, he’s not showing it.

“I know if my mind is not cluttered I can beat whoever and whenever and anybody at any time,” Bryant said. “Sometimes I let some things get to me that I shouldn’t.

“Watch the tape. I feel like at times I look damn good and then I get to thinking about certain things and it bothers me.”

Bryant said he didn’t know if he could see himself playing with another team, but that doesn’t seem to be a concern either.

“But if that came about, I’m still Dez Bryant,” he said. “I’m still going over the top. If it’s there where I can grab it I’m going to grab it. It’s just who I am.”

Bryant’s future will be a topic of conversation this offseason. It’s hard to imagine the Cowboys without Bryant, and it’s not like they’re very deep at receiver to absorb that blow. And if you ask Bryant, he’s as good as ever.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant said he won't take a pay cut this offseason. (AP)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant said he won’t take a pay cut this offseason. (AP)

– – – – – – –

Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!