Raiders' Gruden calls out Martavis Bryant for subpar training camp
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden indicated Saturday that he hasn't been impressed with wide receiver Martavis Bryant in training camp thus far.
"He's got to get out here and play better," Gruden told the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Michael Gehlken. "He's in a competitive situation. Right now, a lot of the other receivers have had a nice camp. He's just got to learn the offense. He's got to stay out here. He's had some illnesses. He's got to get on the field. He's got to master the offense and become more versatile, and that's the key to making this team better."
Bryant was acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers at the 2018 NFL Draft in a trade that cost the Raiders a third-round pick. He was one of the few signature pickups Oakland made this offseason.
The Raiders landed Bryant with the expectation that he would serve as a perfect complimentary piece to Amari Cooper. So far, though, it's been 33-year-old veteran Jordy Nelson who's been generating most of the buzz among the Raiders' receivers.
"Nothing is going to be given to anybody," Gruden said of Bryant. "It doesn't matter how you got here and what your history card says. We need everyone to understand the best players are going to play, and he's got to be more consistent. And I'm confident he will."
The talented - but often troubled - Bryant is entering a contract year. He caught 50 passes for 603 yards and three touchdowns last season, and asked out of Pittsburgh after his role in the offense was reduced.