The Dallas Cowboys parted ways with their long-time wide receiver Dez Bryant, after eight years of partnership, to avoid paying his $12.5 million base salary for 2018. There were reports that Bryant could return to the Cowboys at a reduced rate, but team owner and general manager Jerry Jones made it clear that there will be no reunion with the veteran wide receiver. During the Cowboys pre-draft press conference, Jones emphasized that they have no plan of bringing back Bryant, even if he takes a pay cut, saying they have moved on from the veteran wide receiver.

“I have no thoughts about the timing when we decided to move on,” said Jones, who drafted the 29-year-old Bryant 24th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. The two sides agreed to part ways recently after Bryant met with Jones. According to Bryant, the Cowboys did not ask him to take a pay cut in order for him to stay. After his release, Bryant said he wants to join an NFC East team so he can face the Cowboys twice a year. Bryant earlier expressed his intention to join the New York Giants, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network Insider said the team is not currently interested in signing the veteran wideout. With this development, Bryant could shift his focus to other NFC East teams such as the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins.

Ex-Patriots official speaks about Gronkowski

Former New England Patriots executive Michael Lombardi shared his thoughts on the ongoing drama with tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has yet to reveal his plans for the 2018 season. During an interview with The Ringer’s “GM Street” podcast, Lombardi said Gronkowski’s refusal to skip all the team’s voluntary offseason workouts is connected to his desire to get a new deal and has nothing to do with his reported rift with head coach Bill Belichick.

During his time with the Patriots, Lombardi said Gronkowski’s agent Drew Rosenhaus always demand a new deal for his client, even though he recently signed a previous contract. Last offseason, the Patriots restructured Gronkowski’s deal, increasing his 2018 base salary to $8 million and he could earn almost $1 million in incentives, fourth-most among tight ends behind Jimmy Graham, Trey Burton, and Zach Ertz.

Giants expect Beckham to stay

According to Giants head coach Pat Shurmur, the team expects star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to stay. Shurmur reported that Beckham was in the team facility for the start of the Giants’ voluntary minicamp. However, Beckham will not participate since he’s still recovering from a season-ending ankle surgery that he underwent in October. Shurmur also doused rumors about the Giants trading Beckham this offseason. “He's an excellent player, he's part of our team and he's a very valued member of our team,” Shurmur said of Beckham. Earlier, Beckham threatened to hold out if he’s not given a contract extension before the start of 2018 season.
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