2013 NFL Draft: Tyler Bray says Steelers promised they would take him
By Matt Shetler
One of the most interesting aspects of the 2013 NFL draft was the fact that all of the quarterbacks not named E.J. Manuel went a lot later than anyone expected.
Eventually the phone did ring for mostly all of the young signal callers, but that call never came for Tennessee’s Tyler Bray.
Nov 17, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Tyler Bray (8) drops back after the snap against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. The Commodores beat the Volunteers 41-18. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-US Presswire
Bray went undrafted and eventually signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, but according to his father, Bray expected to be drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and went as far to say that the Steelers told Bray they would draft him.
The Steelers were linked to Bray more than a few times before the draft and it was reported that Steelers brass thought he was the most talented quarterback in the draft, but instead of targeting Bray late in the draft, they selected Oklahoma’s Landry Jones in the fourth round despite having no communication with Jones during the draft process.
Teams often make draft promises and that very well could be the case here as the Steelers were definitely in on Bray, but I have a hard time thinking they went as far to make a guarantee.
Bray’s father Jeff, is likely still upset that his son didn’t get drafted, despite being possibly the most physically talented quarterback of the crop.
But given Bray’s immaturity off the field, it’s doubtful the Steelers made that promise.
There’s a reason Bray didn’t get drafted last weekend. What that is isn’t exactly known at this time, but the Steelers weren’t the only team to pass on him and I believe that speaks volumes.