Dez Bryant Makes Makes Landfall in New Orleans, To Sign With Saints

ATLANTA, GA- Dez Bryant has his eyes set on a new home, “The Big Easy.” The Pro-Bowl wide receiver will sign a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, a source told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and NFL Network’s Jane Slater.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal will run through the end of this year’s season. Schefter said, “Bryant wanted to prove what he can do and become a free agent again.”

(Alex Brandon/Associated Press)

The Dallas Cowboys released Bryant in April after eight seasons with the franchise. Since his release, the 33-year-old veteran has visited multiple teams. Bryant declined offers from Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. He sat out the first nine weeks of the season while waiting for the right team to play with.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Bryant in his interview with Jane Slater.

According to Sports Illustrated, Bryant has battled with foot and knee injuries in recent years. Bryant has 69 catches for 838 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games he played in last season.  

The Saints say they have looked at Bryant’s tape months before considering to sign him. They say they are impressed with his hard work. Bryant told Slater in a recent interview that he spent a lot of work in overtime with wide receiver coach David Robinson.

Bryant says during his time away, he worked to perfect his footwork and his route running. He says he is working on attacking routers harder as well. The Saints tell sources they want him to lose five more pounds and have the wide receiver weigh in at 219 lbs.

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Bryant says it’s never about the money; it’s about respect and in the locker room. He told NFL sources he wants to be able to trust his head coach and feel the same way in the locker room.

According to USA Today, Bryant posted to Instagram on Sept. 25. “God got me through some tough times being away from the field… No way I could play with the anxiety depression panic attacks that I was dealing with without natural remedies.”

Bryant is getting a fresh start to play and landed a spot on a playoff team. He will return to AT&T Stadium to face his former team on Nov. 29. He will continue to wear jersey number 88 in New Orleans.