It was always expected that Dan Quinn would recruit former Dallas Cowboys players if he landed a head coaching job. Despite interviewing with four other teams, Quinn ended up on the Commanders and has since green-lighted one of the biggest free agent spending sprees in NFL history.
A big part of that splurge included signing ex-Cowboys and overpaying to make it happen. Quinn gave defensive lineman Dorance Armstrong $22 million guaranteed over three years and center Tyler Biadasz $9.75 million per year and $20 million guaranteed.
Quinn also brought in edge rusher Dante Fowler, which was perhaps the most obvious reunion, and cornerback/special teamer Noah Igbinoghene, who was active for five games last season and played 25 defensive snaps.
The Igbinoghene move spoke to Quinn's desperation, but the former Cowboys defensive coordinator reached a new low this week when the Commanders brought in ex-Dallas wide receiver Martavis Bryant (!) for a workout.
Veteran WR Martavis Bryant is scheduled to work out Wednesday for the #Commanders, per source. Bryant was released last week by the #Cowboys, whose former DC Dan Quinn is now HC in Washington. pic.twitter.com/mOqGang5q2
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 15, 2024
Dan Quinn's Commanders interested in former Cowboys WR Martavis Bryant
Bryant was released by the Cowboys last week as he attempts to resuscitate his career. He signed with Dallas' practice squad in November and though he impressed in practice, he failed to be activated for a single game. He was released from the practice squad in January to make room for La'el Collins, but quickly re-signed with the team on a futures deal after the season.
Quinn obviously got a close look at Bryant in practice, so perhaps he thinks the 32-year-old can compete for a roster spot. That's probably wishful thinking being that Bryant hasn't played in an NFL game since 2018. His production that season (19 catches for 266 yards in eight games) was nothing to write home about.
A big play waiting to happen early in his career, Bryant hasn't posted more than 700 receiving yards in a season since 2015. That was nine years ago. He was suspended the entire 2016 season and returned to catch 50 passes for 603 yards and three touchdowns for the Steelers the following year.
The fact the Cowboys felt Bryant was expendable even though they're shopping in the receiver market tells us everything we need to know about Bryant. They didn't win the Zay Jones sweepstakes, but odds are they circle back for a WR in the near future.
Even if the Commanders don't sign Bryant, it's amusing that Quinn continues to show interest in players the Cowboys have or had no intention of keeping. There's obviously nothing wrong with a coach -- a highly respected one at that -- recruiting former players, but it's gotten to a point where Quinn is almost dependent on his Dallas roots to fill out Washington's roster.
