Martavis Bryant just became a big-time Bears trade option
Much of the NFL world was caught by surprise yesterday when a buzz came out of Pittsburgh. According to Ian Rapoport, Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant is unhappy. So much so that he’s requested a trade ahead of the October 31st deadline.
Sources: #Steelers playmaking WR Martavis Bryant recently requested a trade. His teammates and coaches are well aware that he’s unhappy.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 16, 2017
In his first year back from a suspension, Martavis Bryant was integrated slowly into the offense. 2 catches today. Ready for a new start.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 16, 2017
Much of the displeasure centers around his role in the offense. Through six games he’s been targeted a total of 34 times with 17 catches for 231 yards and a touchdown. That puts him on pace for 45 catches for 616 yards. Both would be well below his 2015 numbers when he had 50 catches for 765 yards (in 11 games). Now this could be just a ploy by his agent to get the teams’ attention.
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However, the story got a considerable boost from Bryant’s girlfriend who tweeted there is some truth to the rumor. That tweet was later deleted.
Bryant comes with an enticing skill set
There is no question that if the Bears traded for Bryant, he’d instantly be the most talented receiver on the roster. He’s 6’4″, which offers a wide catch radius that young quarterbacks love. Yet that’s not his greatest strength. Bryant is also a genuine deep threat. He’s averaged 16.6 yards per reception for his career. In 2015 he had 50 catches. Ten of them went for at least 20 yards and five went for 40. He’s a legitimate big play threat.
One could argue that his growth has been stymied by playing in the same offense as Antonio Brown. In 2014, 2015 and 2017 Ben Roethlisberger has targeted Bryant 174 times. In that same span he’s targeted Brown 448 times. It’s easy understand why he might be upset he’s not getting enough opportunities.
At the same time one could say he’s not taking great enough advantage. He rarely has to see double coverage because defenses are focused on stopping Brown. Think of it this way. With Brandon Marshall on the other side in 2013 and 2014, Alshon Jeffery had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. He hasn’t had one since Marshall left. Bryant has never produced a 1,000-yard season to date playing with Brown. Would he really be better without him?
However he also has some serious red flags
Then there is the matter of off-the-field issues. Part of the reason Bryant has gotten fewer targets is because he’s not playing for long stretches. To date he’s never played more than 11 games in a season and that’s his fault. In 2015 he was suspended four games for violating the NFL substance abuse policy. A situation during which he spent a stint in rehab. Then last year he was suspended for the entire season for another violation.
Reportedly the receiver has battled depression for much of his life. The drug issues were used as a coping mechanism. While a serious condition that is no joke, this proves that Bryant is a head case. He can’t be trusted to stay out of trouble. One more violation and he could be banned for multiple seasons. Maybe permanently.
That doesn’t sound like somebody Pace and John Fox would covet.
