The Washington Commanders have signed wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who last played in the NFL six years ago but is ready to make a return, having played with a succession of minor teams, including the Toronto Argonauts and the Vegas Vipers.
In September 2018, Bryant was released by the Oakland Raiders prior to his being suspended from the NFL in December of the same year. The 2018 ban was an indefinite one due to multiple failed drug tests and he was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys in November 2023 and released in January 2024 before signing a reserve contract.
Last season saw Ron Riviera’s Commanders complete a miserable 4-13 record, leading to his being fired and replaced by Dan Quinn. Washington fans who wish to back their side to do better in 2024 can get all the info and insights they need in terms of the best online sportsbooks before placing the wager, thereby increasing the chances of a more profitable payout.
Quinn worked with Bryant at the Cowboys last season and released Ramiz Ahmed to make room for his inclusion into his roster, so he clearly rates him highly, commenting,
“He’s in really good shape and he’s really hungry to prove it,”
“He’s been ready for a while, so it’s good to have him here.”
“Martavis has a really cool skill set. He’s got size and length and the ability to use him in the red zone,”
“He looks like a linebacker playing wideout from a size standpoint.”
“Seeing the skills, seeing how we compete against him, oftentimes in practice, we put him into a certain spot to simulate the size of a receiver, the speed of a receiver,”
“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 added.
Standing at 6-foot-4, Bryant provides a powerful presence, and over the course of three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he racked up 17 touchdowns and is ready to get back into the swing of things in the NFL.
“Got to be strong-minded,”
“I’ve been through a lot. I don’t give up on myself; I’ve always been a fighter.” Bryant stated.
Bryant secured a touchdown in the Washington Commanders’ 20-10 win over the New England Patriots, completing the game with three catches for 20 yards. The 32-year-old is keen to make up for lost time and Quinn will hope that he offers his side plenty going forward in what the franchise will hope will be a marked improvement on last season.
The last time Washington completed a regular season with a winning record was way back in 2016, and will hope that Dan Quinn, who spent five and a bit seasons in charge of the Atlanta Falcons, can reverse that trend.
He has an overall 43-42 record in regular season action as an NFL head coach.
The Washington Commanders start the 2024 season with a trip to Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before hosting the New York Giants at Commanders Field in game week two.