The Dallas Cowboys had a heartbreaking season that ended earlier than anyone expected. Initially a Super Bowl contender, the Tony Romo squad fell at the bottom of the rankings mere weeks since the season opened. Apart from the injuries that plagued the quarterback and fellow star athlete Dez Bryant, the Dallas Cowboys had to face off-field issues as well.
The NFL star who faced the most issues outside football is Greg Hardy. The defensive end, who entered the Dallas Cowboys roster after a controversial stay with the Carolina Panthers, had been tagged in domestic violence issues throughout the season. These concerns eventual pushed the Cam Newton squad to let go of the 27-year-old star. According to the Carolina Panthers, the domestic violence issues could not be overlooked regardless of the talent of Hardy.
Hardy was later on signed by the Dallas Cowboys - a move that saw Jerry Jones in the receiving end of harsh criticisms from the public. Nonetheless, the NFL team owner opted to stick with his decision and take in Hardy in their roster. The move appeared to have quickly backfired as the defensive end had been reportedly tardy and absent in meetings. These concerns coupled with his legal battles and disruptive behavior now push Jones to reconsider his decision to sign Hardy.
"In talking to sources close to Dallas defensive end Greg Hardy, the expectation from their side is that the Cowboys are not going to bring Hardy back after a tumultuous first season with the team and a tumultuous season after his return to the league after a one-year suspension," disclosed Jason Cole of the Bleacher Report.
The NFL insider added, "The problem for the Cowboys is that Hardy partied a lot during the season and was not in great physical shape as the season wore on and on and on. That was part of the reason he was tardy to several meetings during the season and part of the reason why the team felt so distracted by his presence."
Meanwhile, Jeremy Mincey also confirmed the rumors that Hardy's behavior caused a lot of friction in the locker. The 32-year-old shared that the tardiness and absences of the troubled star stirred issues in the Dallas Cowboys roster.
"Yeah it grew. It grew. It definitely grew," Mincey said via Sports Day, referring to the tension in the Dallas Cowboys locker room. He added, "I hate it happened -- you talk about a team that was so close-knit and tight and all of a sudden it was just different. I wouldn't say that he's the reason for that happening, but sometimes change, sometimes if it ain't broke, don't fix it. You know what I mean? And sometimes with change, the team is different. Regardless of how great this athlete is and regardless of this and that, if they're not mentally on the same page, you're not going to get the same results."
However, not all Dallas Cowboys stars are convinced that Hardy should not be brought back to the team. Bryant, who Hardy had several on- and off-field arguments shared that he wants to have the defensive end back. The wide receiver said that the former Carolina Panthers star is a "great teammate."
"You see guys perform at a high level around him, and that's what he brings to the defense," said of Hardy via Sporting News. He added, "I know I would love to see Greg back with us. He's a great teammate. I love him. I hope we can get him back. Greg Hardy loves the game. Anybody who loves the game, I love him."
