Martavis Bryant is facing a year-long suspension for violating the substance abuse policy.
According to Dejan Kovacevic of DKPittsburghSports.com, Pittsburgh Steelers outstanding wide receiver Martavis Bryant could be facing a year-long suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy for a second time.
Several national NFL reporters confirmed Kovacevic’s breaking news including NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette, and Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo, who added that Bryant does plan to appeal the year-long suspension.
If Bryant does have to sit out the 2016 NFL season for the Steelers, this is a massive loss for Pittsburgh on the offensive end. The Steelers on paper have one of the most complete offenses in the NFL with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, Le’Veon Bell in the backfield, and arguably the best wideout in the game in Antonio Brown to name a few.
Bryant has at times shown flashes of No. 1 wideout talent on the gridiron with the Steelers since being drafted out of Clemson University in the fourth round in the 2014 NFL Draft. While offensive coordinator Todd Haley will certainly adjust to a season without Bryant if he has to, this would stand as a devastating loss for the Steelers on their quest to Super Bowl LI.
With the reigning AFC Champion and Super Bowl 50 Champion Denver Broncos in the midst of an enormous roster overhaul, Pittsburgh is one of two or three teams capable of playing the AFC East juggernaut New England Patriots for a trip to Super Bowl in late January.
Since Pittsburgh still needs time to get back to having an elite NFL defense, they’ll have to lean on their high-octane offense to make noise in the 2016 AFC Playoffs. Potentially losing one of the game’s best No. 2 wide receivers only hurts the Steelers chances to contend for their seventh Lombardi Trophy in 2016.