Pittsburgh Steelers: Martavis Bryant attempts a comeback
On the field, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant can be sensational. Unfortunately, those moments have been far and few between.
When available, wide receiver Martavis Bryant is a dynamic player. The talent is certainly there. It’s the “when available” part that’s been the issue. The 25-year-old pro, when teamed with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wideout Antonio Brown and more, makes the Pittsburgh Steelers passing attack lethal.
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In 21 regular-season games from 2014-15, Bryant’s totals read 76 catches for 1,314 yards (17.3 average) and 14 touchdowns. But none of those aforementioned contests include 2016, due to the fact that Bryant was in the midst of serving a one-year suspension for violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.
You will recall that, in 2015, he missed the first four games of the season for the same reason. However, in late April, shortly before the 2017 NFL Draft, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert released the following statement, per Steelers.com:
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"Martavis Bryant has followed the protocol and has been conditionally reinstated by the National Football League. We appreciate that he has taken the necessary steps in an effort to get his personal life in order. We also understand this is just the beginning as he works to return to the team and meet all of the conditions of his reinstatement."
The last time we saw the 2014 third-round pick from Clemson was back in 2015 in the Mile High City. Bryant was the main target that day for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in a playoff encounter with the Denver Broncos. With Antonio Brown sidelined with a concussion, Bryant hauls in nine passes for 154 yards, albeit in a 23-16 loss. He also has a 40-yard run in the game.
Obviously, there’s no guarantee that Martavis Bryant stays out of trouble. And he needs to take advantage of this latest chance or his football career may be very much in doubt. With the likes of Brown, Bryant, Eli Rogers, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Sammie Coates, the Pittsburgh Steelers are stacked at wideout. In the second round of April’s draft, they added USC receiver Juju Smith-Schuster.
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All told, Mike Tomlin’s team has an embarrassment of riches in this department. Now they can only hope that Bryant doesn’t embarrass himself one more time.