Reuters

Talented yet troubled at times, Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant hasn’t had someone in his life who can provide him with advice that he’s willing or able to heed. While it’s easy to find plenty of people who will give such advice, Bryant has to be receptive in order for the advice to take.

From Deion Sanders to David Wells to Eugene Parker to Drew Rosenhaus back to Eugene Parker to Jerry Jones to Jason Garrett, no one has been able to get Bryant’s full attention when it comes to getting and keeping his life in order. Former Cowboys receiver Drew Pearson, who wore the same number Dez now owns, tried — and Pearson has said that Bryant “laughed in my face.”

Bryant has now found someone, apparently. According to Mike Fisher and Richie Whitt of 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, Bryant’s potential mentor is former Cowboys tight end Jay Novacek.

“We’ve talked, yes,’’ Novacek said. “I’m certainly available to Dez if he needs me.’’

Bryant reportedly approached Novacek during training camp and asked for advice. “How did you do what you did?” Bryant reportedly said. “Can you show me how you did what you did?’’

As one unnamed source told Fisher and Whitt, “It seems like a weird choice. But at the same time, it’s a wonderful choice.’’

The fact that Bryant is willing to seek out someone for help after years of behavior suggesting that he’d listen to no one is encouraging. And the key is that Bryant can trust Novacek because Novacek gains nothing financially from the relationship.

It’s good news for the Cowboys. More importantly, it’s good news for Bryant, who could finally be overcoming a challenging upbringing and a more recent lifestyle that creates a sense of entitlement and becoming a responsible adult.