After serving one year off the field due to substance abuse, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant has been reinstated by the league. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert spoke to the media about his expectations for Bryant for the 2017-2018 season. "We appreciate that he has taken the necessary steps in an effort to get his personal life in order. We also understand this is just the beginning as he works to return to the team and meet all of the conditions of his reinstatement." The Steelers have had a busy offseason. Receiving threat Antonio Brown was re-signed in the beginning of the offseason which also gave the team a sense of safety.
Ben Roethlisberger is returning for another year which means the passing combination of Brown and Bryant will return in 2017.
Giving and receiving
Since entering the league in 2014, Bryant has become an important part of the Steelers offense. He has a total of 1,314 yards receiving as well as 14 touchdowns to match. His most active year was 2015, and on the other side of the formation, Antonio Brown was working with the same energy. Bringing in 1,834 yards and 10 touchdown, it can be said that 2017 will bring even better results for the receiving duo. The Steelers leader, Ben Roethlisberger, has thrown for 3,000 yards or more every season since 2005 with his most productive season coming in 2014, the first season the Bryant and Brown combination took the field.
With a quarterback that has consistently been on fire, along with one of the league's top receiving corps, the Steelers will be able to torch the inter division corner combinations which will carry them into the playoffs.
Past, present, and future
In the 2016-2017 season, the Steelers made it to Conference Championship without the help of Bryant.
The New England Patriots put the Steelers out, winning the matchup 31-16 at Foxborrough Stadium. Throughout the game a couple of things were made clear about the Steelers team. Firstly, they need more options on offense in order to beat the Patriots. Antonio Brown was the leading receiver that game with 77 yards on seven receptions.
Both DeAngelo Williams and Le'veon Bell combined for fifty yards on twenty carries. While Big Ben was still able to throw the ball for 314 yards, it was quite apparent that the Steelers needed more offensive production. The defense struggled as well, but with help in the upcoming NFL draft the Steelers will be able to fill in missing pieces at cornerback, safety and linebacker positions. One thing is for sure, with the addition of Martavis Bryant, the Steelers will be back again to fight for an NFL championship.
