It took more than two years for Dez Bryant to make his way back into NFL action, but he was able to make it to the Baltimore Ravens this past season.
After a long wait to return, Bryant stated on Twitter on Tuesday that it wasn’t long before he realized that the Ravens were not a good fit for him and while his time in Baltimore didn’t work out, the former Pro Bowl was broadly planning two more seasons before it stops.
When asked about Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who was bad for the careers of quarterback Lamar Jackson and wide receiver Marquise Brown, Bryant replied about his individual situation.
“I’ll talk about my personal experience,” Bryant tweeted‘I was in a position where everything was already established. I took advantage of the fact that I was right. I quickly realized Baltimore wasn’t the place for me … not bad blood, that’s their way of doing things, so you have to respect it. ‘
Now presumably looking for a new franchise to call home, Bryant later wrote that he wants to play two more seasons before hanging up his cleats for good.
“I plan to play for 2 more years and that’s it for me,” Bryant tweeted.
A season after setting an all-team NFL record, the 2020 Ravens running game – prompted by Jackson, JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards – once again led the league in a rush towards a Super Wild Card Weekend win against the Tennessee Titans before falling into the AFC Divisional Round. Hardly a receiver-friendly plan, it looks like it wasn’t quite as accommodating for Bryant.
The free agent recipient made it clear that he had “no bad blood”, as previously stated, and thanked the club for giving him a chance.
“No OTAs, no mini camp and coming in mid-season is not normal,” Bryant tweeted. “I was not worried about playing time. I enjoyed meeting some great teammates. Guys, I feel like I will be in touch for a long time to come. I am grateful for the opportunity Baltimore gave me.”
Bryant was signed by the New Orleans Saints in November 2018, but tore his Achilles tendon just days later and was lost for the season. Suitors have been hard to come by for Bryant since he was cut by the Dallas Cowboys in April 2018 after three seasons where his productivity slipped.
So you could surmise that any team willing to put the physical 6-foot-2,220-pound receiver into the fold would be the right fit. That was clearly not the case for Bryant.
Bryant signed a one-year contract with Baltimore and worked on the active roster for the exhibition team. He produced six catches for 47 yards and two touchdowns in six games played. Bryant’s most memorable moment of his time with the Ravens was likely deactivated just before the kickoff of a Tuesday game with his old squad, the Cowboys, after the recipient announced via Twitter that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Shortly after, the team announced that Bryant had been scratched, and Bryant continued on Twitter, stating that he would “go ahead and stop it for the rest of the season” and later his tune turned to, “Yes, I’ll be back. … I am smart. “
In the past three seasons, Bryant has signed with two teams and played six games. Now, after realizing Baltimore was the wrong fit, the former All-Pro is looking for the right one again.