Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers received some disheartening news today when word came down that third-year wide receiver Martavis Bryant would be facing a year-long suspension for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. The former fourth-round draft pick had previously served a four-game suspension for the same violation last season after unsuccessfully appealing.
Word of that suspension came down in August, but it was knowledge that the Steelers themselves were privy to—or rather, knowledge of the likelihood of a suspension—well in advance. Surely by April at the least, since they talked openly about how Bryant’s evolving situation affected their decision to draft wide receiver Sammie Coates in the third round of the draft.