Free agent receiver Dez Bryant is negotiating a deal with the Saints, who worked him out on Monday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Bryant didn’t immediately leave New Orleans with a contract following his audition, but the club was pleased with his performance, per Pelissero. The Saints have been searching for a veteran receiver to replace Ted Ginn Jr., who was placed on injured reserve weeks ago. Drew Brees certainly has other pass-catching options outside of the receiver position, including running back Alvin Kamara and tight end Ben Watson, but Bryant would give the future Hall of Fame quarterback another viable choice behind No. 1 Michael Thomas.
As Pelissero notes, Bryant has come close to agreements with other clubs earlier this year, so his pact with the Saints shouldn’t be considered final until he signs on the dotted line. Bryant reportedly rejected a one-year accord from the Ravens after being cut by the Cowboys, and also had a dalliance with the Browns. If Bryant, who turned 30 years old on Sunday, does reach a deal with New Orleans, it almost certainly will only run through the end of the 2018 campaign.
Bryant certainly comes with risk, as he hasn’t topped 1,000 yards receiving since 2014, while his 12.1 yards per reception in 2017 was the lowest average of his career. But the Saints believe he’ll offer a better performance than any of Brandon Marshall or Kamar Aiken, both of whom also worked out for New Orleans on Monday. Jeremy Kerley was also scheduled to audition, but weather interfered with his flight.
Cmon, Saints sign Dez. Your 7-1 and can afford to take the risk. You have a prime time game coming up in Dallas and you know Dez will be super motivated to show Jerry and the boys that he still has a lot left.
I think he’s a lot more likely to take this deal given the Saints position in the NFC right now. Even if it doesn’t quite come with the money Dez was expecting, it’s a one year deal with a serious contender. This is a much better shot than anything with the Ravens or Browns.
As a Cowboys fan, I’d love to see Dez in Black and gold and potentially get a title. He pretty much dodged a bullet by getting cut by this train wreck of a team in Dallas. Hope he does well!