What happened to Martavis Bryant? Former Steelers WR playing for XFL’s Vipers in latest comeback attempt
The XFL’s latest relaunch features a slew of former NFL players across eight different rosters. While many of the names aren’t housewares, there are a few players who have really made an impact at the NFL level and are looking to revive their careers this spring.
Josh Gordon, Vic Beasley, AJ McCarron and Martavis Bryant are four names that many NFL fans will be familiar with.
Bryant looked like the Steelers’ last mid-round steal at the receiver position when he played alongside Antonio Brown in Pittsburgh, but his star quickly faded as he dealt with problems off the field. An impressive performance for the Vegas Vipers could help rebuild his reputation.
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Here’s what you need to know about how Martavis Bryant came to the XFL from the stellar Steelers.
What happened to Martavis Bryant?
From a talent standpoint, the Steelers took gold when they picked Bryant 118th overall from Clemson in 2014. He averaged 21.1 yards per reception as a rookie and took on a bigger role in 2015 by rushing for 765 yards in just 11 games. It was the suspension that prevented him from playing a full season in 2015 that marked the beginning of the end for Bryant.
After being suspended for four games in 2015 for substance abuse, Bryant was suspended for a season in 2016 for substance abuse. He was reinstated in 2017 and impressed with 50 receptions in 15 games, but it’s been a rocky season that included a trade request and career-low marks in yards per reception and touchdowns.
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Bryant got his wish and was traded to the Raiders on draft night in 2018. It would be the last season of his NFL career, at least up to this point.
Bryant was released before the season, re-signed days later, and racked up just 266 yards before being handed an indefinite suspension in December for substance abuse. Even now, Bryant has not yet been reinstated by the league.
What Bryant can do for the Vipers is a complete mystery. After his last suspension, he signed with two CFL teams but never appeared in a regular season game.
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While Bryant was clearly an NFL-caliber receiver on the field, he hasn’t played competitively in more than four years and is now 31. Whether Bryant can excel in the Vegas receiving corps may come down to his conditioning.
Martavis Bryant NFL Stats
| season | team | receptions | meter | TD |
| 2014 | Steeler | 26 | 549 | 8th |
| 2015 | Steeler | 50 | 765 | 6 |
| 2016 | Steeler | (Exposed) | N / A | N / A |
| 2017 | Steeler | 50 | 603 | 3 |
| 2018 | robber | 19 | 266 | 0 |
| In total | 145 | 2.183 | 17 |
Bryant was a touchdown magnet early in his career, yielding eight of his first 26 receptions, but only 9 touchdowns the rest of the way.
If he can stay on the field for the Vipers this season, he will with a former NFL quarterback. Brett Hundley, who started nine games for the Packers in 2017, was signed by Vegas in January and is set to be the Vipers’ starter.