Throughout the years, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been known for their uncanny way they draft at the wide receiver position. From Hall of Famers, Lynn Swann and John Stallworth in 1974, all the way through 2022 with their second round selection of Georgia's George Pickens, the talent acquired has been beyond sensational. That was no different in 2014 when Pittsburgh selected Martavis Bryant in the fourth round out of Clemson.
During his time with the Steelers, Bryant showed promise as a deep threat receiver, with his combination of size and speed, making him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. He played in 36 games for the Steelers over three seasons, recording 126 receptions for 1,917 yards and 17 touchdowns.
However, Bryant's NFL career was marred by off-the-field issues, including multiple suspensions for violations of the league's substance abuse policy. In 2018, he was traded to the then-Oakland Raiders, where he played in eight games before being released.
Bryant has not played in the NFL since 2018, but he has expressed interest in making a comeback.
Former Steelers WR Hopes XFL Can Be The Ticket Back To The NFL
Bryant ended up signing with the XFL's Vipers in December 2019, ahead of the league's inaugural season in 2020. However, he was placed on injured reserve in January 2020 and did not play in any games for the Vipers. The XFL's inaugural season was ultimately cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the league filing for bankruptcy and ceasing operations in April 2020.
Bryant's signing with the Vipers was notable because it marked his return to professional football after his most recent suspension from the NFL. However, he did not have the opportunity to showcase his skills in the XFL due to his injury and the league's abrupt shutdown. He eventually was able to make his debut on Saturday when his Vipers fell short to the Arlington Renegades, 22-20. Bryant had 4 catches for 28 yards on 9 targets.
Steelers defensive captain, Cam Heyward took to his podcast this week, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward, and he chimed in on Bryant's talent level, as well as the XFL's debut. Heyward had this to say:
"You look at guys like Martavis Bryant, and you look at Josh Gordon, and you see that the rules of the NFL have changed, and if those things had changed before, those guys wouldn't be out of the league. Those guys can play in the NFL. They've proven that. Let's see if they can continue to do it, and they work their way back up."
Heyward, 33, being in the NFL since 2011, knows first-hand what elite talent looks like. He's a 3x First Team All-Pro, 1x Second Team All-Pro, 6x Pro Bowler, and was teammates with Bryant for the 2014-2017 seasons. Bryant was an absolute fan-favorite during his tenure in Pittsburgh, and only time will tell if he ends up back in the NFL, let alone wearing black and gold again.
So, what do yinz think? Can Martavis Bryant still play in the NFL? How would yinz feel seeing him back in the Steel City? Comment below or on social media!
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