First Call: Martavis Bryant has a new home; Kyler Murray likely to make return ahead of game against Steelers
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Wednesday’s “First Call” features familiar Pittsburgh Steelers faces in new places. A big-time offensive tackle reveals how he nearly wound up in Pittsburgh.
And the Steelers may be facing a former Pro Bowler at quarterback in a few weeks.
Big deal in Big D
According to multiple reports, including one from Ian Rapoport from the NFL Network, the Dallas Cowboys are signing former Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant.
Cowboys to sign WR Martavis Bryant. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/Vev2FQTfie
— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2023
Bryant hasn’t played in the NFL since 2018 because of multiple violations of the league’s substance abuse policy. However, the 31-year-old was recently reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
The Clemson product was scheduled to work out Tuesday with the Cowboys. If they didn’t sign him, Bryant reportedly had another tryout scheduled with the Tennessee Titans. That apparently won’t be necessary now, though, as it appears Bryant has found himself a new NFL home.
Since being booted from the NFL, Bryant has played in the CFL, the XFL and the Fan-Controlled Football (FCF) League. Bryant’s career numbers over parts of four NFL seasons are 145 catches for 2,183 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Norwood heading north
Bryant isn’t the only former Steeler heading to a new team. Defensive back Tre Norwood has inked a contract with the Buffalo Bills.
The franchise made the announcement Tuesday. Norwood had been on the 49ers practice squad but was released two weeks ago.
The versatile DB was let go by the Steelers at the end of training camp this year. He had been dogged by a troublesome calf injury during camp.
A seventh-round draft choice out of Oklahoma back in 2021, Norwood was featured as a slot corner and a free safety during his time in Pittsburgh. Norwood played in 10 games for the Steelers last season. He ended up with 16 tackles and no interceptions.
During his Steelers career, Norwood made six starts, intercepted one pass, and had four pass deflections and 61 tackles.
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Down the road
The Steelers host Arizona on Dec. 3, and it appears the Cardinals will have their starting quarterback in uniform by then.
On Tuesday, the franchise activated starting QB Kyler Murray from the physically unable to perform list. He has missed the entire season recovering from a torn ACL late last year.
It’s possible that Murray could make his return Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Cards head coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday that Murray would start against the Falcons if he has a good week of practice. The 26-year-old was designated to return Oct. 18, giving the Cardinals 21 days to promote him to the active roster.
Murray has only played against the Steelers once. It was Dec. 8, 2019, in Arizona. The Steelers won that game 23-17. They sacked him five times and intercepted him three times.
Meanwhile, Devlin “Duck” Hodges was 16 of 19 for 152 yards and a touchdown in the win. The Steelers improved to 8-5 on that day before collapsing and losing their last three games of the season to miss the playoffs.
What could have been
Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Jordan Mailata recently joined the “New Heights” podcast with NFL stars Jason and Travis Kelce.
The 6-foot-8, 365-pound tackle revealed that he almost became a Steeler through the NFL’s International Pathway Program. It’s a program set up by the league to encourage NFL teams to give roster looks to prospective players from other countries.
“I almost went to Pittsburgh,” Mailata said.
“I can see it,” Travis Kelce said.
“It fits,” replied Jason Kelce.
“Villanueva,” added Travis.
Kelce was referring to how the Steelers converted Alejandro Villanueva to be an offensive tackle after he had been a defensive lineman with the Eagles in 2014 — and after he was a 6-foot-9, 277-pound pass catcher at Army.
“I found that out two years ago,” Mailata said of nearly landing with the Steelers. “Through the Pathway.”
Instead, the Eagles used a seventh-round pick on Mailata. He has played in 51 games in his career, has been a full-time starter since 2020, and was a Pro Bowl alternate last year. The Steelers ended up with English tight end Christian Scotland-Williamson from the program instead. But he never played in a game.