Commanders To Release WR Martavis Bryant

Martavis Bryant‘s efforts to return to the NFL resulted in a Commanders deal, but he will not make the team’s initial roster. The veteran wideout is being cut, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Bryant spent part of the 2023 campaign on the Cowboys’ practice squad, but he did not see any regular season game action. Dallas retained him via a futures deal, but his May release left him on the open market. The 32-year-old was surprised to be let go by the Cowboys, Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post notes.

Bryant nevertheless remained focused on his goal of landing an NFL roster spot, an effort which he recounted (via the Jhabvala piece) was sparked by a 2023 workout with DeAndre Hopkins. Bryant – who last played a regular season game in 2018 – managed to land a workout with the Commanders not long after being let go by the Cowboys. A second audition (after which he dropped roughly 20 pounds) drew strong reviews from head coach Dan Quinn and Co., resulting in a contract earlier this month.

In the time since that pact was finalized, the Commanders have traded away 2022 first-round wideout Jahan Dotson. That move has led to questions regarding how Washington’s WR depth chart will shake out behind Terry McLaurin, and it seemed to open the door to Bryant making the 53-man roster as a complementary receiver. While he could still be retained via the practice squad, today’s news casts doubt on his 2024 outlook.

Bryant dealt with suspensions in 2015, 2016 and 2018, halting his ability to build off the promise he showed during his Steelers tenure. A one-year Raiders tenure was followed by time in the CFL and XFL before being reinstated by the NFL and given the opportunity to find a permanent gig. That could still take place in Bryant’s case, but the chances of doing so have taken a hit.