Martavis Bryant. Yep, the former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver has been selected in the first round of the XFL Draft, fifth overall. Bryant landed with the Vegas Vipers, who happen to be coached by Pittsburgh legend, Rod Woodson. The quarterbacks were selected in a separate draft on Tuesday, with the remaining players drafted on Wednesday.
Credit: CBS Sports
It's been quite the downfall for Bryant, who was once seen as one of the most talented wideouts in the NFL. He burst onto the scene in 2014, providing the perfect complementary counterpart to Antonio Brown. In that rookie season, he reeled in 549 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in just 10 games with Ben Roethlisberger. Eventually, he was traded to the Raiders, as he had trouble staying away from the league's marijuana policy.
Vegas just got some more heat. The @XFLVipers select Martavis Bryant in the first round of the #XFLDraft.
— XFL (@XFL2023) November 16, 2022
Presented by @ZipRecruiter. pic.twitter.com/d0d7L1HqnV
With the Raiders, well, he lasted 12 measly games. In those games, he racked up just 266 receiving yards. Pittsburgh was able to land a third round draft pick for Bryant, in what's looked back as arguably the biggest finesse of the century. That is, until you look at who the Steelers drafted with that pick. That would be current third-string quarterback, Mason Rudolph.
If you needed a reason to tune into the XFL, there you go. The XFL consists of eight teams across the United States, a league organized to provide a stepping stone for guys to get (back) into the NFL. In the past, these leagues have flamed out pretty quickly, mostly for monetary reasons. This league is headed by Hollywood star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
Elsewhere in the XFL, another Pittsburgh legend is head coach of a team. That would be Hines Ward, who is leading the San Antonio Brahmas. There are several other legendary coaches across the eight-team league, including Bob Stoops and Wade Phillips. Stoops spent 19 years as head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, where he was able to win the 2001 National Championship. Phillips most notably coached the Dallas Cowboys, while then becoming a great defensive coordinator later in his career.
Will you tune into the XFL to watch these former Pittsburgh stars? What is your favorite all-time memory of Martavis Bryant? Do you think he's trying to make his way back to the NFL? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, and be sure to interact with our social media sites as well!
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