The Steelers are looking for help on the offensive side of the ball, and Dez Bryant has shown interest in Pittsburgh. Could a call to the former Cowboy be the answer?
Apart from Bud Dupree’s looming contract discussions in Pittsburgh this offseason, the Steelers offense (or lack thereof) has been the center of attention. While Mike Tomlin’s team should be getting a healthy Ben Roethlisberger back in 2020, there is plenty of reason to be concerned with the way the offense currently looks heading into next year.
Gone are the days of dominant offensive line play, and with Mike Munchak gone, this aging line likely isn’t going to improve much next season. Pittsburgh’s running game was practically non-existent in 2019, and JuJu Smith-Schuster managed just 552 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns in 12 starts.
The return of Big Ben is certainly the first step in turning one of the league’s worst offenses around, but more action is needed.
Recently, former Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant took to social media – subtly hinting at his ‘dream’ to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers:
My dream goals... I want to suit up in the blue and silver...the black and gold or black and purple...
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) January 24, 2020
Dez may have used colors to hint at the teams he wants to play for, but his code was not hard to crack. The former three-time Pro Bowl and one-time All-Pro receiver has interest in playing for the Steelers. But should that interest be mutual?
Pittsburgh is currently 30th in the NFL in cap space heading into the 2020 offseason. However, Dez hasn’t played football since 2017, and he wouldn’t demand a lot of money to make it happen.
While the Steelers are three deep at receiver with JuJu, James Washington, and Diontae Johnson, they currently have a severe lack of depth past them, and they no doubt will be looking for help this offseason.
What’s unclear is whether or not Dez still has ‘it’. During his final season with the Cowboys, the nation witnessed an older, slower Dez Bryant than they were used to and the former star receiver caught just 52.3 percent of his targets.
Though Dez is now 31 years old, his time away from football may have allowed his body to recuperate a bit.
Let’s face it: Bryant will never again be the physical freak or dominant red-zone threat the nation came to know during his time in Dallas. But the Steelers wouldn’t be asking him to be a number one or two receiver next season.
It’s highly unlikely Pittsburgh elects to reach out to a has-been receiver who has sat out the last two NFL seasons, but desperate times call for desperate measures. If Dez can be a solid third or fourth receiving option at a reasonable price, perhaps he is worth taking a closer look at this offseason.