Dez Bryant is an American wide receiver in the National Football League. Up until April 13th, 2018, Bryant had spent his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys, seeing much success while playing there and racking up sizable earnings along the way. Let’s take a look at Bryant’s career, beginning with his net worth.
Dez Bryan Net Worth As of 2018: $32 Million
Between his contracts, his most recent one was signed in 2015 for $70 Million, and his endorsements/investments, he has come across a massive sum of wealth. How did he come about to earn this money?
Early Years
Bryant was born on November 4th, 1988, in Galveston, County, Texas, eventually moving to and growing up in Lufkin, Texas. He had a troubled upbringing, his mother was just 15 years old when she had him and suffered from drug addiction. She was arrested for drug dealing when Bryant was eight years old.
Despite his rough childhood, Bryant excelled at football. As a junior, he caught 48 passes for 1,025 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was recruited by numerous colleges to play football, and eventually chose to attend Oklahoma State University.
College years
Bryant posted solid numbers for his first season with the Cowboys, finishing second on the team with 43 receptions for 622 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games. It was his next season, 2008, where Bryant really showcased his talents.
Over the course of his sophomore season, Bryant posted a stat line of 87 receptions for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns, including two punt returns for touchdowns. He helped lead the Cowboys to an appearance in the Holiday Bowl against the Oregon Ducks. Despite his impressive performance in that game, the Cowboys would lose the bowl.
His junior year was mired in controversy as Bryant was suspended for most of the season. He failed to disclose a meeting that he had with former NFL star Deion Sanders, a violation of NCAA bylaws. Before his suspension, he was considered a potential Heisman trophy winner and was regarded as the best wide receiver in college football. In three games, he finished with 323 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns, and a punt return touchdown
2010-2014
He decided to forego his senior season at Oklahoma State, entering the 2010 NFL draft. He was believed to be the best wide receiver in that year’s draft class and was being targeted by many teams. Due to some character concerns, Bryant dropped until later in the draft and was eventually picked up by the Dallas Cowboys.
He signed his rookie contract following the draft, a five year deal worth $12 million with about $8.4 million of that guaranteed. He played fairly well in his rookie season, mainly playing a support role for the Cowboys’ offense. Overall, Bryant finished his rookie season with 45 receptions for 561 yards and six receiving touchdowns.
In 2011, Bryant began to play better and started to showcase his talent and why he was worth the first round pick. He finished the season with 63 receptions for 928 yards and 9 touchdowns. This season cemented his place as a true up and coming wide receiver in the league and potential future star.
The next season, Bryant would have one of his best years, setting his personal best record for receiving yards. He would rack up 1,382 yards receiving, 12 touchdowns and 92 receptions. He did suffer from turnover issues, fumbling the ball five times and losing it twice.
2013 was his first Pro Bowl season and finished as one of the top players in the league. He had 93 catches for 1,233 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Bryant was an integral part of the Cowboys’ offense and served as quarterback Tony Romo’s primary weapon
Bryant saw continued success in 2014, earning another trip to the Pro Bowl, with a stat line of 1,320 receiving yards and 88 catches. Oh and he also brought down 16 touchdowns!
2015-Present
At the start of the 2015 season, Bryant signed the contract extension he so rightly deserved. Bryant and the Cowboys came to an agreement on a five-year contract worth $70 million, that included $45 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus.
Despite signing this contract, Bryant, unfortunately, suffered a foot injury that kept him sidelined for seven games. He would finish the season with 31 catches, 401 receiving yards, and three touchdowns.
HIs 2016 and 2017, were subpar (well, by Dez Bryant standards.) He would finish with a combined total 119 receptions,1,634 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns. In April 2018, Bryant would be released by the Cowboys. It remains to be seen where he will go, but he has the potential for a nice bounce-back season in a new landscape.
