If Dez Bryant was calling the shots, defensive end Greg Hardy would be back on the Dallas Cowboys next season.
The wide receiver spoke to Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News and said Hardy brings a lot to the Cowboys defense.
“You see guys perform at a high level around him, and that’s what he brings to the defense,” Bryant told Sporting News. “I know I would love to see Greg back with us. He’s a great teammate. I love him. I hope we can get him back.
“Greg Hardy loves the game. Anybody who loves the game, I love him.”
If the Cowboys’ decision was purely based on Hardy’s performance on the field, it would probably be a no-brainer. In 12 games with the team in 2015, Hardy had 35 tackles, six sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble. But it’s not just a football decision, as Hardy comes with considerable baggage. Hardy was suspended four games in 2015 for his role in a domestic abuse incident.
Throughout the season, Hardy didn’t look like someone seeking forgiveness or to show he was a changed man, but instead made boneheaded, sexist comments about Tom Brady’s wife, showed up late for team meetings, got into a sideline fight with Bryant during a game, and allegedly partied excessively during the season.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sounded committed to re-signing Hardy back in October, but the organization dodged the question when asked last month, saying team rules and being accountable to his teammates is an important factor. Defensive lineman Jeremy Mincey told KDFW-TV Channel 4 earlier last month tension grew with the Cowboys with Hardy around, admitting it would be tough to bring him back.
“Yeah, it will be — I think it will be good for the younger guys, which I don’t know how they feel about him personally, I mean I haven’t spoken to them or asked,” he said. “It would be me or him, you see what I’m saying? It would be either or. It’s hard to have two type of line mentality guys in one room, so it’s tough to figure out who the younger guys are going to follow. Of course they’re going to look up to a go who’s a prolific player. But I just understand the game, and I know what it takes to win.”
Bryant may want Hardy back, but not all of his teammates seem to share that feeling. It seems Hardy has overstayed his welcome with the Cowboys, but we’ll learn more when free agency begins later this offseason.
