Urgency is something Steelers WR Ja’Marcus Bradley says he has needed to show his whole life

Published July 4th, 5:45 EDT
by Bo Marchionte

Pittsburgh – Wide receivers in the NFL are known for their flamboyant personalities. The divas of the National Football League. Never short on words nor antics, wideouts provide a wide range of exploits other positions would be reluctant to duplicate.

That’s not the case for receiver Ja’Marcus Bradley. With an introverted personality the 6-foot-1 and 190 pound third-year player who spent his first two seasons in Cleveland with the Browns after going undrafted out of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2020, is trying to change the narrative.

“I’ve been told that I’ve been kind of chill and laid back, “Bradley said. So, just attacking the day more. Showing up and showing that I want to be here. I feel like I don’t show it but that’s just the type of player I am.”

A lone wolf demeanor, Bradley’s calmness has been an issue he says that he’s heard since he was attending high school at Choctaw County in Ackerman, Mississippi. Despite playing one of the flashiest positions in football he is not one to display his emotions on his sleeve.

“That’s something I heard my whole life all the way back to my high school coach,” Bradley said about coaches wanting this former dual-threat quarterback to show more urgency. “When I heard it here (Pittsburgh) it took me back to high school.”

While coaches have anxiously awaited Bradley’s crazy side to arrive, one thing he has always shown is big play ability. He rushed for 76 touchdowns in high school and during his time with the Ragin’ Cajuns Bradley scored touchdowns on 17 of his last 88 catches.

He brightened when discussing how he would react if his opportunity ever arose in the NFL with a touchdown catch, “It’s been a minute. It’s been a minute. I don’t know what I’m going to do when I get there but it’s going to be a surprise for everybody.”

The funny thing is he wears No. 84, which was the number made famous by former Steelers receiver Antonio Brown. We all know Brown’s penultimate time in the NFL was filled with some of the most bizarre behavior we’ve witnessed by any individual player ever.

“It’s cool,” Bradley said wearing No. 84. “When I found out I had the number I said it’s JB not AB.”

His shy way of going about himself was never noticeable. An engaging smile and responsive fun interaction provided no indications he was on the quieter side of the personality chart. Often it is the case that players with zero tendencies like Bradley are distant and unforthcoming in interviews.

Bradley possesses smoothness in his routes and deceptive acceleration to separate himself from defenders. It’s been a habit of scribbling No. 84 in my notes watching throughout rookie camp to minicamp. It’s one of the reasons he is still in the league after going undrafted.

He made one start his rookie season in Cleveland and appeared in eight games during his short tenure with the Browns, amassing nine catches for 124 yards in his career. Minuscule numbers in the overall scheme of things, but when any player going undrafted and making a roster and earning a start has proven to NFL personnel, they have something special.

Mike Tomlin mentioned a few interesting tidbits when talking to us media at the onset of rookie camp. He elaborated on the rookies and new signings going to dinner and touring Acrisure Stadium. A process to help distinguishes their personalities and how it meshes with the organization and how each player could fit in with the team.

“I think it can be reflective of everybody,” Tomlin stated at the time on how players express themselves during this introductory period. “If somebody’s a little dull in this setting, man, that’s probably a problem.”

That is a red flag for Bradley to try and harness one of the criticisms he has faced over the course of his football life. Football is played with an energized passionate exhibit of emotions. His lack of those characteristics could be costly.

It’s sort of crazy to think the calmness of an individual could be the culprit in extending his professional career in the NFL. However, that is one of the sticking points to Bradley’s overall game. All players have strengths and weaknesses but this to think a quiet nature could detour a player’s success is unique.

“Just working on my weaknesses,” Bradley said. “Just taking it one day at a time. Improving on my weaknesses and making my strengths my main thing. Little way to put myself ahead. Coming in early or staying out with Gunner (Olszewski) and catching extra balls (after practice).”

Bradley shows up early for practice and stays afterwards to work on his craft. However, his best-case scenario for him remaining active in the league might be cracking a few jokes or shoving a couple defenders in practice. The antics that go against his nature are the very things vital for his roster survival in Pittsburgh.

So, it was strange to hear him mention, “I stay pretty much too myself,” and not necessarily engaging with teammates as much as he should. That narrative needs within his current surroundings or he’ll be by himself without a team. Bradley’s on-field ability can move the need, but his temperament and disposition need to be awakened.

Apparently with a vengeance.