The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without wide receiver Martavis Bryant for the 2016 season, as the league announced Monday that Bryant has been suspended from the NFL for a minimum of one year after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
One of Bryant's agents, Brian Fettner, said last weekend that the talented receiver would be entering a rehab program, as he has coping and depression issues that needs to be resolved. The Steelers former fourth round draft pick had shown improvement through his first two seasons in the league, and he was a big part of Pittsburgh's offense during the 2015 season, recording 50 receptions for 765 yards.
The Steelers will look for the rest of their receiving core and newly acquired tight end Ladarius Green to step up next season, as they will be missing one of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's favorite targets. One player that the Steelers feel confident about heading into next season is wide receiver Sammie Coates.
The former third round draft pick saw limited action during the 2015 season and made his greatest impact in the divisional round of the playoffs, catching two passes for 61 yards in a loss to the Denver Broncos. "We feel good about Sammie Coates and his development," general manager Kevin Colbert said. "Unfortunately, Martavis won't be a part of the team in 2016 but Sammie Coates will be."
The former Auburn Tigers receiver ironically drew comparisons with wide receiver Martavis Bryant before landing with the Steelers in the 2015 NFL Draft. The 22-year-old wide receiver impressed Roethlisberger in the postseason, who said he looked "spectacular" in their practices.
Coates has the ability to make big plays, and offensive coordinator Todd Haley will likely put more on his plate heading into this season, as they know that he will need to be a big factor in their aerial attack. While the Steelers are looking for a big year out of Coates in his second seaso, they are not giving up Bryant.
Colbert has said that the team has no plans to release Bryant after his suspension. "We have to prepare for what we have to do without him in 2016," he said. "After all that is taken care of, we will revisit it but as of right now, as (Steelers president) Art (Rooney II) said, we support him, but in all honesty, what happens it totally up to him."
