According to ESPN, former Clemson Tiger, Martavis Bryant wants out of Pittsburgh. Bryant cited his lack of opportunities as the driving force in this decision.
Martavis Bryant is one of the most physically impressive receivers to ever come out of Clemson. Standing 6-foot-4, 228 pounds, Bryant has a chiseled frame, paired with elite 4.4 speed. During his three years at Clemson, he caught 61 passes for 1,354 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging a mind-boggling 22.2 yards per reception on his career.
Despite posting impressive numbers at Clemson, Bryant slid down to Pittsburgh with the 118th pick in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft.
The former Tiger appeared destined for NFL stardom after recording 50 receptions for 765 yards and six touchdowns in 2015. Unfortunately, Bryant was suspended for the entirety of the 2016 season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
After sitting out a year, Bryant returned to the Steelers this season to find out his role had been severely diminished. His lack of targets is due, in large part, to the stellar play of rookie wide out, JuJu Smith-Schuster. Now Bryant is demanding a trade.
According to ESPN, Bryant stated the following:
"I want him (Smith-Shuster) to get his. I just want mines, period, point-blank. Ain’t nobody did nothing to get me back. I worked my ass off to get myself back with no help and little support, period. In due time the process will show."
While football is a team sport, you can’t blame Bryant for wanting to contribute. After all, how can you truly help the team if you don’t get an opportunity to make an impact in the game. Compound that with the hours of work, both as a player and a person, that Bryant had to put in just to be reinstated.
ESPN confirmed NFL Network’s report that Bryant has requested a trade.
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If the Steelers honor Bryant’s wishes, there will be a host of teams vying for his services. With the aggressive spread attacks infiltrating nearly every NFL playbook, long receivers with legitimate burner speed are in high demand.