The Steelers are worried about Martavis Bryant as a person.
As a wide receiver, however, they’re moving on.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was matter-of-fact about the absence of the wide receiver, who is suspended at least a year for repeated violations of the league’s substance abuse policy.
“We’re going to throw the ball to the open man,” Tomlin said, via Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today. “Really, it’s that simple. We’ve played without him in the past, so we’re not overly concerned about playing without him in 2016, to be honest with you. We have talent at the position.”
The Steelers have done the replaceable part thing at wide receiver before, and they do still have Antonio Brown and Markus Wheaton, along with new tight end Ladarius Green and running back Le’Veon Bell. So the offensive production isn’t as much of a concern to Tomlin as personal growth, when asked about his disappointment.
“I could, but I won’t because it’s irrelevant,” Tomlin said. “I want to see him get better as a man. Football and all the things associated with that are secondary.”
Bryant is expected to check into rehab, with his agent saying his problems were “a coping issue and a depression issue.”