On Sunday, it was reported that Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant requested a trade. Well, Bryant apparently is singing a different tune following the media picking up on the story and making it among the top headlines in Week 6.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Bryant has discredited the rumors on Monday, saying he’s “all good” when asked about it. Prior to that, Bryant, perhaps in an attempt to prevent backlash from an angry fanbase, sent out a tweet late Sunday expressing his willingness to remain a Steeler and help the franchise chase its seventh Super Bowl title.
Big win today and tomorrow right back to work tomorrow I am happy to be a steeler and can't wait to reach number 7 this year.
— Martavis Bryant (@martavis1212) October 16, 2017
From earlier reports, Bryant’s frustration was traced back to the limited role he’s been having with the Steelers. While Bryant is third on the team in targets, it probably didn’t sit well with him that JuJu Smith-Schuster appeared in more snaps, 44-33, than him during Sunday’s win over the Kansas City Chiefs. On top of that, Smith-Schuster has been Ben Roethlisberger’s red-zone target priority over Bryant, with seven targets inside the 20-yard mark against Bryant’s 3.
Pittsburgh doesn’t want any unnecessary drama gripping the team again as the Steelers try to build momentum and hold on to the top spot in the AFC North. It wasn’t long ago that the Steelers had to deal with reporters inundating them with questions surrounding Antonio Brown’s sideline outburst.
Bryant will look to make amends in Week 7 at home against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals.