Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Rumor: Could Cowboys Lose Martavis Bryant Via Being 'Poached'?

Originally posted on FanNation Cowboy Maven
By Mike Fisher | Last updated 12/13/23

There seems to be a great deal of misunderstanding of where Martavis Bryant is in his NFL career, a career that has a bit of new life now that the league has ended his suspension, allowing him to sign with the Dallas Cowboys.

The first major misunderstanding is about what Bryant means to the Cowboys. There is - contrary to overheated speculation - no imminent plan ... and really no plan at all ... to elevate him to the 2023 roster.

In the event of an injury to the CeeDee Lamb-led receivers room, that concept would be revisited. There is nothing that has happened, in terms of practice performance or in terms of off-field behavior, to make such a move impossible.

But at the same time, outside of his stature - Bryant at 6-4 is nothing if not noticeable - there is nothing that jumps out in his work that would demand he come up off the practice squad.

The behavioral issue, by the way, is one Bryant has addressed frankly, saying he's been to "some really dark places and times, places you can’t even imagine. ... I worked so hard to get through those moments. But it was a dark time for me.”

Meanwhile, Bryant, a one-time standout with the Steelers and Raiders until substance abuse led to his 2018 suspension, causing him to miss four seasons, is now being mentioned as having a future elsewhere.

Bleacher Report is suggesting that the Chargers perhaps might wish to poach Bryant off the Dallas roster. To do so, they simply need to reach out to add him to their active roster, and unless the Cowboys respond by themselves calling up Bryant (who turns 32 this month), he'll be heading to Los Angeles.

Writes B/R: “At this point, the Chargers can afford to make a desperation move.''

That may be true; we're not privy to the Chargers thinking. But in Dallas? Roster-wise, the Cowboys are on the verge of needing to bring up a defensive tackle (Carl Davis) to replace the injured Johnathan Hankins. There is therefore likely no room at the inn for a seventh receiver on the active roster.

If Martavis Bryant is "poached''? It'll be a "story'' in Dallas. But it won't really constitute a "loss.''

This article first appeared on FanNation Cowboy Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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