Dez Bryant freshly stripped of the Cowboys' iconic star Friday morning by team owner Jerry Jones, departed the team's Frisco headquarters in his Bentley, waving the "hang loose" motion as he put the only team he's known during his eight year NFL career in the rear viewing mirror. In a string of tweets soon after, Bryant said he took the team's decision to release him personally. "Cowboy nation I need you to know this wasn't my decision," he wrote. "I will always love y'all forever Dallas in my heart."

          The Cowboys' split with the fiery receiver, met with mixed reactions by fans. A disappointing 2017 season showed a continued lack of chemistry between Bryant and quarterback Dak Prescott, declining production and a spiraling relationship with the front office and some members of head coach Jason Garret's coaching staff. Executive vice president Stephen Jones made it known the Cowboys would address Bryant's $12.5 million salary and $16.5 million salary cap hit for the next two seasons, whether by pay cut or otherwise. But the Cowboys were ultimately ready to move on. Jerry Jones issued a statement shortly after he met with Bryant that said, in part: "As an organization we hold Dez Bryant in the highest regard, and we are grateful for his passion, spirit and contributions to this team . . . Dez and I share a personal and professional relationship that is very strong... This was not an easy decision, it was made based upon doing what we believe is in the best interest of the Dallas Cowboys."

          Until recently, Bryant and former quarterback Tony Romo were the first players who sprang to mind at the mention of the Cowboys, and both were released just over a year apart. The mantle of the team's future is ever more placed on running back Ezekiel Elliott and Prescott, who will enter their third season in 2018. Whether the team uses the savings from Bryant's contract to intimately enhance the team or on long term deals to lock up current players remains to be seen. Several of Bryant's former teammates reacted to his release on Twitter. "Truly a blessing to have been able to play with you," Pro Bowl defensive and DeMarcus Lawrence posted. "No one will understand the love and passion you have for the game. Wish you nothing but the best!" Bryant tweeted that he is already looking to the future, and there will be great interest in where he ends up and if he can make the Cowboys regret their decision. He told the NFL Network he wants to stay in the NFC East: "It's personal. I'm tired of being a scapegoat." For the Cowboys, it marks the end of an era, the days of Bryant "throwing up the X" after touchdowns now firmly a part of team history.