{"id":14565,"date":"2017-03-05T22:32:22","date_gmt":"2017-03-06T03:32:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=14565"},"modified":"2017-03-05T22:32:22","modified_gmt":"2017-03-06T03:32:22","slug":"pittsburgh-steelers-cannot-count-on-martavis-bryant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/03\/05\/pittsburgh-steelers-cannot-count-on-martavis-bryant\/","title":{"rendered":"Pittsburgh Steelers Cannot Count on Martavis Bryant"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant<\/a><\/strong> may not be with the team\u00a0next season.<\/p>\n

Bryant was suspended all of last year after repetitively abusing the NFL\u2019s illegal substance policy.\u00a0Still, Bryant is a dynamic football player.\u00a0He is fast, has length, and quality hands. However, he can\u2019t stay on the field.<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh Steelers Cannot Count on Martavis Bryant<\/h2>\n

The fourth round draft pick hasn\u2019t played a full season after being drafted in the fourth round in 2014, despite showing\u00a0tremendous promise.\u00a0In his rookie year, he sat out the first six games because of an A\/C sprain. For\u00a0the remaining 10 games, he caught 26 passes for 549 yards and eight touchdowns.<\/p>\n

In one of the most talented draft classes in the last decade\u2014which included\u00a0Odell Beckham<\/a><\/strong> Jr., Mike Evans<\/a><\/strong>, Kelvin Benjamin<\/a><\/strong>, Sammy Watkins<\/a><\/strong>, Jarvis Landry<\/a><\/strong> and many more\u2014Bryant finished the year tied for third in rookie touchdown receptions with a shortened season.\u00a0Averaging over 20 yards-per-catch while scoring the ball a third of the time he touches it, Bryant was a true offensive commodity.<\/p>\n

In 2015, Bryant was suspended the first four games after\u00a0testing positive for marijuana. He was out an additional game because of a knee injury. But, again, once he hit the field, he just has the knack for the end zone and huge plays. His highlights included scoring big plays like a 94-yard touchdown as well his acrobatic flip catch<\/a> that was revered as the \u201cCatch of the Year\u201d.<\/p>\n

Can he help the Steelers in 2017?<\/h3>\n

The short answer is absolutely yes.<\/p>\n

In playing in just 22 games, Bryant has 14 touchdowns. \u00a0He’s a player who can take it the distance every time he touches the ball. While on the field he provides relief for All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown<\/a>, <\/strong>who commands defense’s attention.<\/p>\n

Last season, Brown had 12 touchdowns. Outside of him, the next best wide receiver had three in\u00a0Eli Rogers<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Will he be back in the Black and Gold?<\/h3>\n

The problem is the Steelers have lost their faith in\u00a0their young stud.\u00a0When the Steelers needed him the most last year he wasn\u2019t available.<\/p>\n

Last season, Coates battled through broken fingers. Rogers was in and out of the lineup for undisclosed\u00a0reasons, while both Markus Wheaton<\/a><\/strong> and Darrius Heyward-Bey<\/a><\/strong> landed on injured reserve.\u00a0Having the 6-foot-4, 4.4 forty running wide receiver could\u2019ve propelled this team during its spell of injuries.<\/p>\n

Another\u00a0main problem\u00a0he faces\u00a0is the distrust that has formed between the young pass catcher and his quarterback. According to Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette<\/a>, Bryant lied to Roethisberger when he was confronted about abusing the drug policy. \u00a0Roethisberger even came out to say Bryant needs to “grow up.”<\/p>\n

Recently, signs have gotten\u00a0worse for Bryant’s odds of a return. Steelers\u2019 general manager Kevin Colbert<\/strong>\u00a0spoke about Bryant\u00a0in the past tense as if he wasn’t returning in a press conference on March 1, via NFL reporter Marc Sessler<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert: ‘Martavis (Bryant) was a great asset to us when he was available.’<\/p>\n

\u2014 Marc Sessler (@MarcSesslerNFL) March 1, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Pittsburgh organization runs a tight ship and rarely deals with players with off the field issues. Just think back to when backup\u00a0running back LaGarette Blount was cut<\/a>\u00a0immediately\u00a0after not adhering to post game protocol in 2014. Or a more\u00a0pertinent\u00a0instance,\u00a0when Pro-Bowler wide receiver Santonio Holmes was traded <\/a>during his prime after being suspended for substance abuse.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, it is\u00a0more than likely that Bryant\u2019s time in the Steel City is over.<\/p>\n

Currently, Bryant has been working extremely hard in preparations for this season, according to his social media accounts<\/a>. And he is going to need to continue his efforts to get back in good grace with the Steelers.<\/p>\n

If not, he\u00a0is just showcasing his physical\u00a0abilities to possible suiters looking to throw a flier at a young proven playmaker.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

\n
Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n