WASHINGTON — The Washington Commanders announced Tuesday that they have signed wide receiver Martavis Bryant. The signing came as a surprise to some fans. Bryant hasn't played in an NFL game since 2018 because of a five-year ban for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
The former Pittsburgh Steeler joined the NFL in 2014 after being drafted in the fourth round out of Clemson. The 6-foot-4 receiver had a knack for big plays and gives the Commanders the size they currently lack at the receiver position.
During his time with the Steelers, he caught 126 passes, 17 of which were touchdowns, from 2014 to 2018. It's worth noting that he did not play in 2016 because of a suspension.
He was suspended indefinitely for violating league substance abuse policies in 2018. While away from the NFL, he spent time playing football in Canada, the Indoor Football League and the XFL. He was reinstated in 2023, and played on the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad, where new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn was defensive coordinator.
"Martavis has a really cool skillset," Quinn said Tuesday before practice. "He's got size and length and the ability to use him in the red zone ... He looks like a linebacker playing wideout."
Quinn said his experience competing against him led to the decision to sign him.
"He's got a real size, like the catch radius, throw it over here, he has got length to throw it away from somebody ... knowing, hey, this is incomplete, or my guy's getting it."
Quinn said he did not have any reservations in signing Bryant, even after the long layoff. He said seeing him on the practice squad last year in Dallas showed him that he was ready to compete.
Quinn said Bryant is hungry to prove himself.
"When you get those moments, you really want to go for it. He's been ready for awhile so it's good to have him here," he said.
Bryant told WUSA9 he's ready to compete in any way he can.
"Whatever they need me to do, man. I just want to get back and get better. Learn every day. Learn from my coaches, learn from my teammates, and sky's the limit," Bryant said.
Bryant said he has been impressed with rookie QB Jayden Daniels and is ready to provide support wherever possible.
"He's ready to seize the moment," Bryant said of Daniels. "I'm here to support him. Whatever he needs help with I'm going to do it."
The Commanders released kicker Ramiz Ahmed to sign Bryant. Riley Patterson will handle kicking duties heading into the second preseason game against Miami.
"Still an open competition for us at that spot," Quinn said. "But we did feel like... to let Riley go into this week and have these reps at Miami both in practice and in the game."