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Martavis Bryant: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver reportedly asking for trade again

By The Sports Xchange
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant (10) smiles on the sidelines during the second quarter of the preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Heinz Field on August 20, 2017 in Pittsburgh. File photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant (10) smiles on the sidelines during the second quarter of the preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Heinz Field on August 20, 2017 in Pittsburgh. File photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant appears to be asking for a trade again when he posted "give me what I want" on social media.

Bryant on a since-deleted Instagram post late Sunday night also called out rookie receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who caught a 31-yard touchdown in the Steelers' 29-14 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon.

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"He wants out," a source close to Bryant told ESPN. "Point blank."

A post from "FantasyFootballCounselor" showed a video of Ben Roethlisberger overthrowing Antonio Brown on third-and-1 and criticized the Steelers quarterback for forcing the ball to Brown rather than throwing to Bryant.

Bryant responded in the since-deleted comment that was screengrabbed and shared on social media.

"JuJu is no where near better than me, fool," Bryant posted in response. "All they need to do is give me what I want and y'all can have JuJu and whoever else."

Bryant then clarified those remarks with a new comment that tagged Smith-Schuster.

"JuJu is the future and got great talent and is going to be one of the best to play this game," Bryant commented. "I want him to get his. I just want mines, period, point-blank. Ain't nobody did nothing to get me back. I worked my ass off to get myself back with no help and little support, period. In due time the process will show."

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Roethlisberger targeted Smith-Schuster three times in Sunday's win and twice to Bryant. who had one catch for 3 yards.

Last week, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that sources informed him of Bryant's trade request because of lack of playing time, adding that Steelers teammates and coaches are well aware that the receiver is unhappy.

ESPN confirmed the report, citing Bryant's unhappiness with his role in the offense. Bryant then told reporters last Monday he had not requested a trade.

"I'm good ... That's up to the coaches," Bryant said when asked about his role in the offense.

Bryant, 25, missed the entire 2016 season due to a suspension by the NFL for multiple drug violations under the substance-abuse policy. He has 18 catches (36 targets) for 234 yards and one touchdown in seven games this season.

Bryant has 94 career receptions for 1,548 yards and 15 touchdowns in 28 regular-season games since being drafted in the fourth round out of Clemson in 2014.

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