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Going all the way back to the 2010 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens and Dez Bryant have something of a shared history. That year, the word was that Baltimore was going to select the wideout from Oklahoma State, and at the last moment the Cowboys jumped up in front of them to get him; this near union almost happened again in the 2018 offseason when the Ravens offered Bryant a three year contract fresh off of being released by Dallas after an acrimonious exit. He turned them down, and hasn’t a played a snap of competitive football since, after signing with the Saints and tearing his achilles in practice later that year.
Since then, things have been fairly quiet on a usually-not-so-quiet Dez front, with many signs pointing to him realistically making a comeback this season. This further materialized on a Monday morning report from ESPN’s Josina Anderson, that indicates Dez is in talks with several teams, including Baltimore:
I'm told free agent WR Dez Bryant has been in talks with the #Ravens and other teams for a potential workout, per sources. Bryant has been working hard to bring himself back.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 17, 2020
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero quickly confirmed that Bryant is in fact on his way to Baltimore at some point this week:
Free-agent WR Dez Bryant is expected to travel to Baltimore this week for a workout with the #Ravens, sources tell @SlaterNFL and me.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 17, 2020
This has been in the works for a while. Dez hasn't played in a game since 2017, but he's in shape, motivated, and intends to play in 2020.
With COVID-19 related restrictions banning in person workouts for several months finally being lifted recently, the Ravens will be able to scour the free agent pool and get a better look at certain guys who could help to round out their roster at some of it’s weaker areas. Bryant would fit this to a T, as he seems ready to accept a veteran minimum for a shot at a comeback, and Baltimore’s receiving corps is still somewhat unproven.
Regardless of your thoughts on Bryant, it would appear that Eric DeCosta is leaving no stone unturned for the 2020 season. In a year where you’re hoping to seriously contend, that’s the way it should be.