What is Dez Bryant net worth?

Dez Bryant, whose full name is Desmond Bryant, is a retired American professional football player who has an estimated net worth of $16 million. He became one of the most recognizable wide receivers in the National Football League (NFL) after being selected in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.

Known for his combination of size, strength, and speed, Bryant quickly developed into a key offensive weapon for Dallas. Between 2012 and 2014, he recorded three straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons. His best season came in 2014, when he posted 1,320 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns, leading the NFL in touchdown receptions. That performance earned him First-Team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection, while also breaking the Cowboys’ single-season receiving touchdown record previously held by Terrell Owens.

Bryant was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2013, 2014, and 2016.

Dez Bryant Contracts and Salary

In 2015, Dez Bryant signed a five-year, $70 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys, which included $45 million in guaranteed money. The deal made him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the league at the time.

Over the course of his NFL career, Bryant earned approximately $57.9 million in total salary while playing for teams including the Cowboys, the New Orleans Saints, and the Baltimore Ravens. His most lucrative season came in 2017, when his cap hit reached about $17 million.

Early Life

Dez Bryant was born on November 4, 1988, on Galveston Island, Texas. He was raised by his mother, Angela Bryant, who had him when she was just 15 years old.

Bryant faced a difficult childhood. His mother was arrested for drug dealing when he was eight, and he spent time living in several different homes growing up.

Despite these challenges, Bryant excelled in sports at Lufkin High School. As a senior, he recorded 53 receptions for 1,207 yards and 21 touchdowns and was named an All-State selection. He was also a standout track athlete and one of the top triple jump competitors in Texas.

College Career

After high school, Bryant attended Oklahoma State University, where he played for the Oklahoma State Cowboys football team.

During his freshman season, he recorded 43 receptions for 622 yards and six touchdowns. He followed that with an outstanding sophomore season, posting 87 receptions for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns, which earned him All-American honors.

Bryant’s college career was later disrupted when he was ruled ineligible for most of the 2009 season after violating an NCAA rule.

NFL Career

Bryant was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2010 NFL Draft and quickly made an impact. In his rookie season, he recorded 45 receptions for 561 yards and six touchdowns, and became the first Cowboys rookie since Kevin Williams in 1993 to score multiple punt-return touchdowns in a season.

His performance continued to improve over the next several years:

• 2012: 92 receptions, 1,382 yards, 12 touchdowns
• 2013: 93 receptions, 1,233 yards, 13 touchdowns
• 2014: 88 receptions, 1,320 yards, 16 touchdowns (NFL-leading)

Injuries began affecting Bryant’s performance starting in 2015, when he suffered a fractured foot early in the season. He later dealt with a hairline knee fracture in 2016.

Bryant played his final full season with Dallas in 2017, finishing with 69 receptions for 838 yards and six touchdowns before being released in 2018.

New Orleans Saints

During the 2018 season, Bryant signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints. Unfortunately, he tore his Achilles tendon during practice, which ended his season before he could appear in a game.

After recovering, Bryant returned to the NFL in 2020 with the Baltimore Ravens. He played in six games, recording six receptions for 47 yards and two touchdowns.

Across his NFL career, Bryant finished with:

• 537 receptions
• 7,506 receiving yards
• 77 receiving touchdowns

These numbers rank him among the most productive wide receivers of his era.

Legal Issues

Bryant faced several legal and financial disputes during his career. In 2011, he was sued for unpaid legal fees and jewelry purchases made on credit while he was a student athlete.

In 2012, he was arrested following a domestic dispute involving his mother. The case later received significant public attention. In 2016, Bryant was also sued by Royce West, a Texas state senator, for allegedly damaging a rental home in DeSoto, Texas.

Personal Life

Dez Bryant has two sons, Dez Jr. and Zayne. He has been in a long-term relationship with Ilyne Nash.

Despite the ups and downs of his career, Bryant remains one of the most memorable wide receivers of the 2010s thanks to his explosive playing style and standout seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.

Also Read: What is Terrell Owens net worth?