The Dez Dilemma: Should the Cowboys move on from Bryant?

"Hell, no. I believe in me."

It's been three months since Dez Bryant uttered those words when asked if he'd accept a pay cut to stay with the Dallas Cowboys, and his future with the team remains just as unclear now as it did then.

Everyone involved in the situation has said the right things. Bryant promised to "shut a lot of people up" next season following three years without hitting 1,000 yards, while owner Jerry Jones said he wants his star wideout to remain with the team.

However, the 29-year-old continues to be the biggest question mark surrounding America's Team, and there's no easy answer, mostly because of Dallas' questionable roster construction and cap management.

The Cowboys have been a top-heavy team for years, and have exacerbated their issues by intentionally designing contracts in a way that allows them to be renegotiated when necessary to create cap space, essentially kicking their problems further and further down the road.

That's what made the Tony Romo situation so difficult to navigate. That's why Dallas was forced to move on from DeMarcus Ware years before they should. And that's why there is a serious possibility that Bryant won't be a Cowboy in 2018.

Bryant's $16.5-million hit accounts for nearly 10 percent of the Cowboys' 2018 cap - a tenable number if he was still a legitimate top-10 receiver and No. 1 target, but hard to swallow for a player who no longer can act as the focal point of the passing offense.

Unfortunately, simply cutting Bryant won't solve Dallas' problem. He would still account for $8 million in dead money if released, though that number could be reduced to just $4 million by designating him a post-June 1 cut and spreading the hit over the next two years, according to Spotrac.

Furthermore, considering his contract, declining play, and off-field baggage, Dallas is unlikely to find a trade partner unless Bryant is willing to be more cooperative.

Another factor that's further muddied this already complex situation has been the robust free-agent receiver market, which has arguably strengthened Bryant's ability to rebuff any attempts to force a pay cut.

Sammy Watkins received $16 million per season (more on him in a second), Allen Robinson got $14 million, and players with average production like Donte Moncrief and Paul Richardson got paid handsomely.

If Bryant was reticent to take less than what he believed to be his worth in December, his stance is unlikely to have softened after seeing how much teams are willing to shell out for starting-caliber receivers.

Back to Watkins. Dallas reportedly pursued him in free agency, and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network said he believed the team would've parted ways with Bryant had the speedster not landed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Garafolo added that Dallas might have been tempted to do so, too, if it had even landed one of the smaller-name free agents.

This tells us several things. Firstly, the Cowboys - rightfully - don't feel comfortable enough with their current receiver depth behind Bryant of Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, and Brice Butler to move on from him, but would have been if they could've landed a younger talent - even if the talent in question has as many production and injury questions as Bryant but simply has age on their side.

Secondly, Dallas could still be willing to part ways if it can land a player who could feasibly act as a top target in the passing game, whether that's through the draft or free agency.

They could have found that player already, too. The Cowboys - who are the only team remaining who've yet to sign an outside free agent - are reportedly one of 10 teams pursuing Allen Hurns. Replacing a star like Bryant with a good-but-not-great receiver like Hurns would've been unthinkable a few years ago, but Dallas could be desperate.

The Cowboys have the least cap space in the NFL (around $1.3 million), and while signing franchise-tagged pass-rusher Demarcus Lawrence to an extension could help, it still likely wouldn't be enough to add at least some depth signings and ink their free-agent class.

So, what should the Cowboys do?

As mentioned previously, there isn't likely to be a good option for Dallas. It's going to be about picking the less painful poison. And don't expect an answer anytime soon, as Garafolo speculated that a resolution likely won't come until much later in the offseason

Dallas is at a significant crossroads, as it has a starting quarterback on a ridiculously cheap contract. Dak Prescott carries roughly a $726,000 cap hit in 2018, and his 2019 number will jump up by less than $100,000.

Usually, a team with such a competitive advantage would be able to use the money saved to build up its roster into at least a perennial playoff contender, but Dallas has tied itself into knots financially. However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

The Cowboys are projected by Spotrac to have the 12th-most cap space ($66 million) in 2019, even with Bryant on the books. If they don't cut the receiver this offseason, they are all but certain to in 2019, when it will save an additional $12.5 million.

But, they'll need every cent of that cap cash. All-Pro guard Zack Martin will need a big-money extension soon, Lawrence's future long-term deal will cost as much annually as the $17-million tag, and, of course, Prescott won't stay cheap for long (and Jerry knows it).

The Cowboys have a shot to get themselves into a healthier cap situation before Prescott needs to be paid, but difficult decisions will have to be made, starting with Bryant.

From an on-the-field perspective, the Cowboys won't be better off in 2018 without Bryant - especially if they whiff on Hurns. However, if a pay cut can't be agreed to and if the wideout is likely gone next season regardless, Dallas should bite the bullet and start rebuilding its receiver corps now.

It will be seen as an admission that they can't compete in 2018, but Dallas can no longer afford to have its cake and eat it too. Cutting Bryant now makes little sense, though. The Cowboys should wait until after the draft so they can see if a potential replacement falls into their lap.

But, as we all know, the Cowboys - and Jones, especially - usually march to the beat of their own drum and have a weakness for nostalgia when it comes to their aging franchise player, meaning it's anyone's guess how long Bryant will keep the star on the side of his helmet.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)