NFL Rumors: Could Buffalo Bills trade for Martavis Bryant?
By Josh Hill
Martavis Bryant isn’t a free agent, but he’s going to be a name worth watching in trade talks.
A player who is on the rise and on a wickedly affordable rookie contract typically isn’t floated in trade talks. When that organization is one that pinches pennies like the Pittsburgh Steelers, talks of trading affordable players almost never happens.
But when that player is the disgruntled Martavis Bryant, the situation is different.
Bryant has one year left on his rookie contract and could cost as little as $705,000 in 2018. He’s been productive when he wants to be and makes up one-third of a Steelers receiving corps that includes Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Bryant is the third wheel, though, and he’s let it be known that he doesn’t want to be that far down on that totem pole.
He’s also an unrestricted free agent in 2019, which is a perfect storm for a potential trade. If the Buffalo Bills feel good about parting with a draft pick or two, they should get on the phone and start talking trade.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com mentioned that the Bills were engaged in talks to try and acquire Bryant during the 2017 season. Those talks rekindling makes a lot of sense and could be a win-win for both sides.
Buffalo won’t be giving up one of their two first-round picks to land Bryant, but having those two picks could ease the pain of parting with a second or third rounder. The Bills started the year by trying to make a combo of Zay Jones and Jordan Matthews work and then traded for Kelvin Benjamin to be their new No. 1. If they make a move for Bryant, that could give Buffalo an attractive patchwork receiving corps.
For the Steelers, they have to believe Bryant is gone after this season. He’s made it clear he is unhappy and these trade rumors are nothing new. Getting a mid-to-high draft pick for a player who will likely be walking in a year anyways is an excellent return.
Next: Best NFL player from each state
Big name players on affordable deals don’t usually get traded. But we live in a world where Marcus Peters — a player who was billed as problematic like Bryant is — just got moved for pennies on the dollar. Anything is possible and no trade is too insane.