Last week, the Dallas Cowboys cut Dez Bryant.

The wide receiver spent eight years with the team but his release may have been down to a couple of different factors. 

The first is money. Bryant was owed $12.5 million on both of the last two years of his $70 million deal, with a $16.5 million salary cap hit both times.

His release clears about $8.5 million in much-needed cap space, with the team deciding that relief was worth it over a player whose production has been declining recently.

The second factor is exactly that, declining performances. When Bryant signed his huge deal following the 2014 season, he was seen as one of the NFL's elite offensive players. 

That year he led the league with 16 touchdowns but has since failed to make 1000 yards in any of the following three seasons. 

In fact, he finished 2017 without a single 100-yard day in any of the 16 games he played. But that may be down to changing the starting quarterback in Dallas.

Bryant was Tony Romo's primary target - and often, the Cowboys safest shot. But since Dak Prescott has arrived, he's become nothing more than a possession receiver. 

Still only 29, Bryant is now forced to look for a new challenge. He may not be the elite player he once was, but could still transform any NFL team. 

According to the receiver himself, there's one team you probably won't be seeing Bryant at next year though. 

And that's the Green Bay Packers. 

When asked by Mike Fisher of 247 Sports if he would join The Pack, Bryant gave a simple answer. 

"It wouldn't seem right. Too much history.''  

The receiver has been very vocal following his release, suggesting that he wants to prove a point to everyone - especially the Cowboys, and show that they were wrong to let him go. 

So surely, ruling out a move to the Packers, led by Aaron Rodgers, is the wrong mindset. Green Bay would be a natural fit for Bryant, but as he says, history may be standing in his way. 

The Cowboys have seen heartbreak at the hands of the Packers too many times in recent years. A 2015 playoff defeat at Lambeau Field clearly still haunts Bryant. 

As does the fourth quarter comeback made by the Packers in the 2016 playoffs at AT&T Stadium - where a last-second field goal took Green Bay to the NFC Championship game.  

Perhaps though, it's the infamous "non-catch" moment from 2014 against the Packers that stings the most.  

Yes - it must have hurt. There's no doubt about that. But with his winning options in 2018 looking short, Bryant needs to put that moment behind him and move on.

If he doesn't, he may burn the one interested team he's most likely to find success with.