OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Dez Bryant wants to play two more seasons, but apparently it won’t be with the Baltimore Ravens.
In a series of tweets Tuesday evening, the wide receiver explained why he never broke out of a limited role with the Ravens last season.
“I quickly realized Baltimore was not the place for me,” wrote Bryant. ‘No bad blood. That’s their way of doing things, so you have to respect it. ‘
Bryant, 32, returned after serving two seasons and had a total of six catches for 47 yards and two touchdowns in six games with Baltimore.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection during his time with the Dallas Cowboys, Bryant lacked explosiveness at Baltimore and never got open consistently. He finished as the No. 4 wide receiver for the league’s worst passing attack, falling below Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin and Willie Snead IV on the depth chart. Bryant achieved a total of 129 snaps, or 21.5 per game.
Responding to a fan’s comment that he should have been given a better shot, Bryant wrote, “It’s tough. I’ve been off for nearly three years. I’ve shown my abilities to the point. [Ravens coach John] Harbaugh asked if I was ready to play because he thought I was ready … You have to learn the playbook … the chemistry with the QB has to be good. “
When asked if his chemistry wasn’t up to par with quarterback Lamar Jackson, Bryant wrote, “Our chemistry was good on and off the field. But it was guys for me who understood the offensive concepts better than I did. . “
Bryant became the second Pro Bowl wide receiver to miss two full seasons and return to the NFL since the 1970 merger, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Josh Gordon was the first.
The Ravens first worked out Bryant in August, but he left without a contract because he was told he needed to improve his fitness. Baltimore brought him back and signed him to the exhibition squad on October 28.
After being elevated from the exhibition squad twice, Bryant was signed on to the 53-man roster on November 28. He never eclipsed more than 28 yards in a game and was held without a flyout in the Ravens’ two playoff games.
“I wasn’t worried about playing time,” wrote Bryant. “I enjoyed it. I met some great teammates, guys that I feel like I will stay in touch for a long time. I am grateful for the opportunity Baltimore gave me.”
The Ravens were not expected to bring Bryant back. Upgrading the broad receiver group in free service and design was considered one of Baltimore’s priorities.
Bryant, the No. 24 overall pick of the 2010 draft, played eight seasons for the Cowboys. In 113 games, he caught 531 passes for 7,459 yards and a Cowboys-record 73 touchdown catches before his release after the 2017 season.
When asked if he plans to play in 2021, Bryant wrote, “I plan on playing for 2 more years and that’s it for me.”