The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to miss one of their best wide receivers this upcoming season. Martavis Bryant has been suspended for a year for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy for the second year in a row. This is due to a recent failed drug test that occurred this offseason. Bryant won’t appeal. According to his agent Brian Fettner, Bryant is fighting depression. Fettner said, “This is the biggest cry for help I’ve ever seen, and that hurts. It hurts us to see. He’s 24 years old, and he’s got to get right, whatever it is. If you talk to anybody’s family that has depression, they will be talking about these same things — the [despondence], the withdrawal, the head-in-the-sand despair — just trying to cope.” With Bryant out for a year, how will this hurt the Steelers?
Bryant would be entering his third season. Last year he missed four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Out on the field, he made plays. Ben Roethlisberger looked for him early and often. In the open field, his speed made it difficult for opponents to tackle him. Bryant had a total of 765 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns which helped the Steelers to go to the playoffs.
In the Wild Card round against the Cincinnati Bengals he had 5 catches for 29 yards and one touchdown in an 18-16 win. In the Divisional Round he was the number one receiver since Brown was out with a concussion. In the loss to the Broncos he led the team with 154 receiving yards.
This is an enormous loss for the Steelers on offense. Bryant is one of their fastest receivers. His size at 6 foot 4 inches gives Roethlisberger a chance to throw it up and he will out jump the defenders.
The Steelers are going to need other receivers to step up. They can always count on Antonio Brown. Darrius Heyward-Bey must improve his game. Heyward-Bey becomes the number two option on this team. If he fails Coates and Wheaton are the other options. They could also trade for another wide receiver if they don’t like their choices.
The Steelers will miss Bryant’s play. The only way they can replace him is if the other receivers play well. Hopefully Bryant gets the help he needs so this incident won’t ever happen again and return to football.
Which wide receiver should take the place of Matavis Bryant?
Leave a Reply