FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys released Dez Bryant on Friday, deciding salary cap relief with the star receiver's declining production outweighs the risk of him returning to All-Pro form with another team.
Bryant never lived up to the $70 million, five-year contract he signed after leading the NFL with 16 touchdowns receiving in 2014. He still had two years left on that deal with a base salary of $12.5 million per season.
"This was not an easy decision. It was made based upon doing what we believe is in the best interest of the Dallas Cowboys," owner and general manager Jerry Jones said in a statement.