Martavis Bryant Signs Commanders Contract After Cowboys Release, Joins Jayden Daniels

The Washington Commanders announced the signing of former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant on Tuesday.

Bryant, who last appeared in an NFL regular-season game in 2018, spent part of last season on the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad and went on to sign a reserve/future contract with them, but they released him in May.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Monday that Bryant was meeting with the Commanders for the second time "in recent months," which led to his signing.

Bryant, 32, starred collegiately at Clemson before the Steelers selected him in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft.

He appeared in 36 games for the Steelers over the course of three seasons and made a sizable impact, recording 126 receptions for 1,917 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Pittsburgh traded Bryant to the then-Oakland Raiders in 2018, and he appeared in eight games that season, making 19 catches for 266 yards and no touchdowns.

At the conclusion of the 2018 season, Bryant was suspended indefinitely for violating the terms of his reinstatement after previously getting suspended for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

In the years that followed, Bryant bounced around between multiple leagues, including the CFL, Indoor Football League, Fan Controlled Football and XFL.

His most recent in-game action came during the 2023 XFL season with the Vegas Vipers, as he finished with 14 receptions for 154 yards.

In Washington, Bryant joins a fairly crowded wide receiver depth chart led by the returning Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. Bryant will also compete with the likes of rookie third-round pick Luke McCaffrey and veterans Jamison Crowder, Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus.

Bryant will have a chance to work with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft to Washington after winning the Heisman Trophy at LSU last season.

At 6'4" and over 200 pounds, Bryant is a big, strong target who would bring a different dynamic to Washington's receiver room since most of the wideouts on the roster are 6 feet tall or under.