The journey toward Super Bowl LII ended far too prematurely for the Pittsburgh Steelers, sending them into offseason mode before we were ready for it. But we are in it now, and are ready to move on, through the Combine, through free agency, through the draft, into OTAs, and beyond.
We have asked and answered a lot of questions over the years and will continue to do so, and at the moment, there seem to be a ton of questions that need answering. A surprise early exit in the postseason will do that to you though, especially when it happens in the way it did.
You can rest assured that we have the questions, and we will be monitoring developments all throughout the offseason process, all the way down to Latrobe. Pending free agents, possible veteran roster cuts, contract extensions, pre-draft visits, pro days, all of it will have its place when the time arises.
Question: Which current Steeler would be most likely to make a revenge signing if released?
Inspired by yesterday’s decision by the Dallas Cowboys to release wide receiver Dez Bryant and the subsequent desire by said wide receiver to see his former employer twice a year, I thought today’s question would be a fun one.
Of the Steelers who are currently with the team, which among them do you think would be the most likely if released somewhat unceremoniously to want to pursue signing with a division rival for spite or to seek revenge?
I’m less interested in answering whether or not that player would realistically have that option and more so in whether or not he would actively want to do that. I have a feeling that Le’Veon Bell will be a popular answer so I’d like to get that one out there quickly. If that is your answer feel free to mention it but please also try to offer a second option.
Martavis Bryant strikes me as somebody who wouldn’t mind joining up with the Baltimore Ravens if the Steelers were to release him (and to be clear, I am in no way suggesting the team might release him or any other player I mention).
I don’t necessarily see a spiteful streak in him, but perhaps Bud Dupree would be another player who would want to prove the Steelers wrong twice a year if he were to be dumped. I think that would be a common trait of former first-round picks who did not quite live up to expectations.
Believe it or not, but I could potentially see Antonio Brown wanting to take a similar approach if released, which of course would never happen. He similarly loves the Steelers as Bryant loved the Cowboys and would be hurt by it, perhaps enough to want to stick it back in their faces.
Overall, I don’t think I see a lot of players who might be compelled by such motivations, but the reality is that things change when you get released, especially if you were expecting to be offered a pay cut and didn’t get one.
