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Pittsburgh Steelers: If Martavis Bryant Returns, How Many More Chances Does He Get?

By Noah Strackbein

Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant (10) (10) against the Denver Broncos during the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant (10) (10) against the Denver Broncos during the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pittsburgh Steelers are still waiting for the reinstatement of star wideout, Martavis Bryant.

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After missing the entire 2016 season because of a suspension following a failed drug test, Martavis Bryant is on thin ice in Pittsburgh. The former Clemson star had one of the NFL’s brightest futures heading into last season. Now, he’s just hoping to return to football.

There are stories everywhere saying Bryant should be reinstated for this season, meeting with the NFL’s Management Council on Thursday, according to the SportingNews.com. With offseason workouts set to begin in June, he doesn’t have much time to earn his way back into the league before he misses camp.

For the Steelers, they seem to be iffy on whether or not they want Bryant back. While some say he’s too valuable to give up, others are claiming Pittsburgh doesn’t want to problems he brings. Even if they do decide to take him back, though, he won’t have many chances left before his career with the Steelers is over.

Bryant came into the NFL with issues. While at Clemson, Bryant was disciplined more than once for off and on the field issues. He was known to slack off in practice, the classroom and around coaches. All holding him back in college, Bryant was a name many teams were scared off during the 2014 NFL Draft.

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After meeting with the Steelers prior to the draft, he convinced the team he’s worth taking a shot on. So, Pittsburgh waited until the fourth-round to use a draft pick on Bryant and risk taking a chance on the troubled wideout.

When he got his chance, Bryant became one of the top receivers in Pittsburgh immediately. As a deep-threat, he and Ben Roethlisberger connected for 549 yards and eight touchdowns through 10 games. Then, Bryant followed it up with a 765 yard and six touchdown performance in 2015.

His statistics are great. Very few players have the success Bryant has at his age. Is he worth sticking it out, though? Maybe, but only for one more chance.

If Bryant is reinstated, which is looking like more and more of a possibility each day, then Pittsburgh should take him back. But that’s the only chance they should give him. One more screw up and the Steelers tell him to pack his bags and head to free agency.

Much like they’ve done in the past, this team doesn’t tolerate trouble. Bryant may be an exception to the rule but only one time. After that, there’s no point in keeping a player who finds himself in trouble more than on the field.

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Bryant now enters a do or die situation. It won’t take much for Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert and the Steelers to ditch him. One more issue and he’ll find himself searching for a new home only four years into the league.

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