JuJu Smith-Schuster initially declined to speak with the media Wednesday, telling reporters he would be available the next day.
About 10 minutes after he ducked into the locker room, the Pittsburgh Steelers third-year receiver returned to the practice field at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex with a team spokesman in tow.
Smith-Schuster then spoke for about seven minutes, discussing his role on the Steelers this year and the departure of Antonio Brown, a move that elevated Smith-Schuster to the No. 1 spot.
When the interview ended, Smith-Schuster offered an unsolicited message for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, explaining why he had the change of heart.
“Tell him I came out here and did the interview,” Smith-Schuster said. “He said I’m turning into that one-day interview guy on Thursdays. I’m definitely not doing that. You guys can talk to me any time of the day.”
Roethlisberger, as the franchise quarterback, speaks to the media at large one day each week, although he does make time for individual interviews. Brown, however, spoke only on Fridays in recent seasons and only in a group setting. Smith-Schuster, at times, only talked once during the week last season.
This year, he apparently won’t be afforded the superstar treatment.
“I’m not going to be an (expletive),” Smith-Schuster said. “Promise.”
