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The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a disappointing end to a promising 2017 season that saw them finish with one of the best records in the league. They fell in their first playoff game in the divisional round against the Jacksonville Jaguars, leading to the team's top brass voicing that changes are coming.
One of these rumored moves was the possible parting of veteran wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who voiced his displeasure with his decreased role during the regular season.
However, according to Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com, general manager Kevin Colbert stated on Wednesday that the team does not plan on trading away Bryant.
Kevin Colbert just said the #Steelers are not interested in trading Martavis Bryant and have not called anyone. Said they have gotten calls but have said they aren't interested in trading him.
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) February 28, 2018
The 26-year-old still has one year left on his four-year, $2.6 million rookie deal that is worth $705,000 for the 2018 season. There were rumors that the Miami Dolphins were possibly interested in acquiring his services this season and that the Buffalo Bills attempted to acquire him during this past season prior to the trade deadline.
In his first season back after a one-year suspension due to violating the league’s substance abuse policy, Bryant strung together a productive campaign by recording 50 catches on 84 targets for 603 receiving yards with three touchdowns. He had six games with at least four catches while topping 60 receiving yards on three occasions. In his first three seasons, he has recorded more than 500 receiving yards in each year while hauling 17 total touchdowns over that span.
Bryant isn't a top receiving option in the Steelers' passing game, but he brings another crucial dynamic with his big-play ability to stretch the field vertically. Meanwhile, it helps make fellow wideouts Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster more effective parts of the offense.
With Bryant's future with the Steelers now set, the front office could shift more of their focus toward working out a new long-term deal with Le'Veon Bell, who could hit the free-agent market next month. The team also has the option of placing the franchise tag on him for the second straight year, if necessary.
