In the warm afterglow of the Steelers' win Sunday night at Detroit, Ben Roethlisberger sat in a cramped corner of the visitor's locker room at Ford Field and talked about a variety of subjects. The incredible maturity of JuJu Smith-Schuster, who's still three weeks from his 21st birthday. The team's three-game winning streak and 6-2 record _ tied for best in the AFC _ heading into its open weekend. His hope for better offense in the second half of the season. And, yes, Martavis Bryant.
"I haven't given up on him," Roethlisberger said. "I want him to know that. I'm not just saying it."
There was little-to-no chance the Steelers would trade Bryant before Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline despite reported interest from a number of teams. It is not their way to give in to what a disgruntled player wants. That's never good business. What's to stop the next unhappy player from asking for a trade? But having Roethlisberger on Bryant's side had to make the decision to keep Bryant easier. It also gives the team its best chance of getting something productive out of Bryant in the second half.
"We can use him," Roethlisberger said. "I know people are upset with him. But he can help us. I'm excited for what can come."
It never hurts any player _ especially a wide receiver _ when the quarterback has his back.
It's easy to imagine the Steelers rolling into January and going deep in the playoffs if they do get a positive contribution from Bryant.
Smith-Schuster has emerged as a quality No. 2 receiver to go with Antonio Brown. The more Pittsburgh gets to know him, the more it falls in love with his sweet personality and infectious enthusiasm. The city went crazy over Smith-Schuster after his 193-yard receiving day against the Lions, including a franchise-record 97-yard touchdown catch that essentially won the game.
But it's going to take more than two wide receivers for the Steelers to make a serious run at Super Bowl LII. It didn't look Sunday night as if Eli Rogers or Justin Hunter is capable of being No. 3. Rogers dropped what should have been an easy 16-yard touchdown pass. Hunter had one catch for 7 yards. Darrius Heyward-Bey is almost strictly a special teams player.
That leaves Bryant.
There is no doubt Bryant has the talent, amazing speed for a man his size. If nothing else, he can stretch the field and open things up for Brown and Smith-Schuster. He proved that when he averaged 16.4 yards per catch on his 95 receptions and scored 16 touchdowns during the 2014 and 2015 regular seasons and playoffs. He and the team missed out on a lot when he was suspended for the 2016 season because of a marijuana issue.
Roethlisberger targeted Bryant an average of 5.1 times in the first seven games before Mike Tomlin punished Bryant by not dressing him for the Detroit game after Bryant's rant on social media about wanting a trade and how much better he is than Smith-Schuster. There's no question the Steelers could use Bryant more, especially in the red zone where his size would be an asset on jump balls. He could only help an offense that ranks a putrid 30th in the NFL in red-zone efficiency.
But Bryant has to do his part and take advantage of his opportunities. Smith-Schuster was the more productive player in the first seven games. Bryant was targeted 36 times and had 18 catches for 234 yards and one touchdown. Smith-Schuster was targeted 27 times and had 17 catches for 231 yards and three touchdowns. Roethlisberger targeted Smith-Schuster 10 times against the Lions with Bryant out of the lineup and with Brown frequently facing double coverage. Talk about taking advantage of the opportunities.
Clearly, Bryant has to win back Tomlin's trust. At least that was the indication Tomlin gave Sunday night when asked if he's confident Bryant will help the Steelers in the second half.
"I'm not ... we'll see."
Maybe Tomlin is close to giving up on Bryant and sees him more as a future problem than a solution for the Steelers. But that seems unlikely, especially after the trade deadline passed. I'm thinking Tomlin is hoping his little kick to Bryant's behind will motivate him.
Roethlisberger is willing to do his part to help.
" 'Tay is a good teammate. Let's find a way to use him. Let's figure this thing out together."
Sounds like a plan, right?
