Jerry Jones on Dez Bryant Release: Decision in 'Best Interest' of Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has released a statement following the team's decision to cut wide receiver Dez Bryant on Friday.

CNN's Jill Martin tweeted Jones' statement:

Jones thanked Bryant for his contributions to the Cowboys over the past eight years but said releasing the veteran wideout was "in the best interest" of the organization.

Bryant responded to the statement with a tweet that read, "Key words in this statement.. Several input.. something I already knew."

The 29-year-old had two years remaining on a five-year, $70 million deal. The Cowboys will save $8.5 million against the salary cap by parting ways with him, per Spotrac.

Bryant is a three-time Pro Bowler, but he has not reached 1,000 yards receiving or 10 touchdowns in a season since 2014.

Last season, the 2010 first-round pick out of Oklahoma State finished with 69 receptions for 838 yards and six touchdowns.

Despite his recent struggles, Bryant is one of the team's all-time leading receivers, and he was undoubtedly the Cowboys' No. 1 option in the passing game.

With Bryant out of the picture, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley and the recently signed Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson are the Cowboys' top receivers.

Dallas owns the No. 19 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, meaning it could target a wideout such as Alabama's Calvin Ridley, Texas A&M's Christian Kirk or SMU's Courtland Sutton, among others.