What does Martavis Bryant’s return mean for the Steelers in 2017
For a team as talented as the Pittsburgh Steelers on the offense, they never seem to be whole. Last year, star running back Le’Veon Bell missed four games. Three due to a suspension and one due to injury. He was also knocked out of the AFC Championship game against the Patriots in the first quarter with a hamstring injury.
Ben Roethlisberger played in only 14 games last year, the second consecutive year that he missed time due to injury. And then there is talented, but troubled wide receiver Martavis Bryant.
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Bryant has struggled with substance abuse, as defined by the NFL, throughout his career. His first suspension came in 2015 when he was issued a four-game time out due to a violation of the substance abuse policy. He appealed but to no avail. A second failed drug test in 2015 led to him missing the entire 2016 season, without pay.
Over the course of his two-year career, Bryant has 76 receptions over 21 games. In that same time span he as 1,314 yards and 14 touchdowns with an explosive 17.3 yards per reception.
Game | Game | Rece | Rece | Rece | Rece | Rece | Rece | Rece | Rece | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
23 | 10 | 3 | 48 | 26 | 549 | 21.1 | 8 | 94 | 2.6 | 54.9 | 561 | 8 | 0 | |
24 | 11 | 5 | 92 | 50 | 765 | 15.3 | 6 | 88 | 4.5 | 69.5 | 802 | 7 | 1 |
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Bryant’s return can not be understated. Sammie Coates and Eli Rogers filled in admirably for Bryant in 2016, combining for 1,029 yards. However, neither player matched the talent Bryant showed as a player who could go up and steal a catch. Since 2014, only Odell Beckham Jr. has a higher yards per route run according to Pro Football Focus.
On a per-route basis, only Odell Beckham Jr. has more receiving yards than Martavis Bryant since 2014. pic.twitter.com/4foK2X60La
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) May 12, 2017
It’s no coincidence that Antonio Brown had one of his best seasons in 2015 when he lined up across from Bryant. That year he set career highs in receptions (136) and yards (1,834), en route to yet another Pro Bowl season. Bryant’s explosiveness allows Brown to have more favorable matchups as safeties must account for Bryant’s blazing speed.
It’s no guarantee that Bryant will play a full season as he is on a very short leash following his second suspension. However, Bryant seems like he has matured through the process and hopes that his positive drive will keep him clean and on the football field. It may well be his last opportunity.
“I know this is my last chance,” he said via ESPN.com. “I put the right people around me, I have things in place for me to succeed, maintain sobriety.”
Steelers’ Nation and teammates hope his newfound sobriety will translate to a more well-rounded, explosive Steelers offense. Only time will tell if he can play the first full season of his young career.
– Ian Glendon is a National Co-Editor for cover32 and the Managing Editor for cover32/Patriots. He covers the NFL and New England Patriots. Like and follow on Follow @iglen31 Follow @cover32_NE and Facebook.
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