Washington Commanders sign embattled WR Martavis Bryant

The Washington Commanders have signed veteran wide receiver Martavis Bryant .  Bryant, 32, was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2014 NFL Draft.  He played three seasons in Pittsburgh, 2014-2015, and 2017; Bryant was suspended for the entire 2016 season for substance abuse violations and subsequently indefinitely suspended in 2018 (and reinstated in 2023) for similar violations.

He last took the field in an NFL game with the Oakland Raiders in 2018. Bryant spent the 2021-2023 seasons bouncing between the Arena League, Fan Controlled League, and the XFL.

Bryant crossed paths with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn last season while he was a member of the Cowboys practice squad and Quinn was the team's defensive coordinator.

With the Commanders reportedly initially interested in a Brandon Aiyuk trade last week, it is clear the team is trying to fortify its wide receiver ranks.  Bryant worked out with the team on Monday and was signed on Tuesday so the Commanders must believe he has plenty left in the tank from his stop-and-start career to help the team in some capacity in 2024.