Mike McCarthy Admits Harsh Truth After Martavis Bryant Signing
Wide receiver production aside from star CeeDee Lamb has been lacking for the Dallas Cowboys this season. Instead of trying to get internal options more involved, though, the team made a desperation signing ahead of Week 10, inking veteran Martavis Bryant after he was recently reinstated.
Many are skeptical of Bryant making any kind of impact -- and it turns out head coach Mike McCarthy agrees.
Mike McCarthy is not sure if practice squad WR Martavis Bryant, who has not played in the NFL since 2018, can help this year or not. Said Bryant did nice job in first day with the team. He will have first full practice on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/Uzfbssf8ht
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) November 8, 2023
McCarthy noted the wideout "has a big task ahead of him just from the standpoint of language" when it comes to learning the team's system. The Cowboys HC also admitted "This time of year, it's tougher than obviously coming here in April."
This appears to show McCarthy tempering any kind of expectations around Bryant's arrival. We've seen the team stress the importance of learning the system to properly succeed once Trey Lance was brought in prior to the regular season, and Bryant now faces the same task, but without the entire first half of the year to acclimate.
Dallas isn't taking a big risk with Bryant being added to the practice squad, but it's absolutely worth wondering if the staff's efforts would be better spent elsewhere. Bryant's already at the end of physical prime at nearly 32 years old, and he hasn't played an NFL game in five seasons. Even an undrafted rookie would arguably be a better use of this PS spot since they have a chance to develop.
However, taking this chance shows just how desperate the Cowboys are to add another playmaking wideout right now. The Brandin Cooks trade hasn't panned out as hoped, and the decision to bank on Michael Gallup after a major injury appears to already be blowing up in the team's face.
McCarthy's words highlight how big of a long shot it is that Bryant finds immediate success in Big D, but maybe he surprises us all.
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