More from Art Rooney II’s interview today where he was asked about all the problems and decisions facing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason.
Rooney II was asked about Martavis Bryant’s situation but said he’s someone the team can’t currently count on. The quote from Joe Rutter.
Bryant recently applies for reinstatement after serving a one-year suspension for again violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Per the CBA, Roger Goodell is supposed to make a decision within two months but that’s a timetable that isn’t always followed.
Despite showing a new and improved work ethic and getting his weight up to 228 pounds, it’ll be Bryant’s actions and decisions with his life away from football that will determine his future in the NFL. He’s seemingly done and said all the right things but that’s a road we’ve all been down before. His actions, and ability to move away from the elements that have gotten him into trouble, will be key. And that’s something none of us are able to predict, making his long-term future murky.
If he is allowed back into the league and can stay clean, he should become the #2 weapon on a Steelers’ team who desperately searched for that guy in his absence. In his two years in the league, Bryant has averaged over 17 yards per catch and averaging a touchdown ever 5.4 receptions, absurd numbers for the position.
That’s an element that could put the Steelers’ offense over the top in 2017. But as Rooney points out, there’s no guarantee Bryant will be that reliable force.
