PTITSBURGH -- Maybe Martavis Bryant will get what he wants, thanks to help from Ben Roethlisberger.

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback said Wednesday morning from his locker that he's ready to target Bryant early and often.

Bryant, who's unhappy with his role and wants a trade if things don't change, was not at his locker during media availability but is in the team facility. He's scheduled to meet with Roethlisberger about the offense and coach Mike Tomlin about potential discipline over his social media comments that reinforced a trade demand and called out rookie JuJu Smith-Schuster as a lesser player than him.

Ben Roethlisberger believes he and his unhappy receiver Martavis Bryant can rediscover the connection they've had in previous seasons. Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Asked whether Bryant and Roethlisberger are one touchdown pass away from this going away, Roethlisberger replied, "hopefully lots of touchdown passes.

"We need to get lots of footballs to him, to everybody, because we all need to score points," Roethlisberger said. "We've had opportunities, we had a few deep balls that were just missed."

Despite Bryant's 15 touchdowns from 2014-15, the timing between Bryant and the quarterback has been off. Roethlisberger outlined several reasons, including overthrows to Bryant or miscommunications on plays.

Roethlisberger has rebounded from his five-interception performance in Week 5 against Jacksonville, but the passing offense is 2-of-18 on passes 31 yards or more downfield.

That helps explain Bryant's disappointing stat line of 234 receiving yards near the halfway point of the season.

Roethlisberger believes the pair can get that timing right, but it will require communication.

"If you're unhappy about something, come talk to me," Roethlisberger said.

Added Big Ben about potentially overpromising: "I'm not going to be a doctor and promise I'm going to save your life. I'm not going to do that. I'm just going to tell him, 'Hey, if you're on your details, and we're working together and I trust you that you'll be where you're supposed to be and you're there, good things will happen."

Roethlisberger seems ready to give Bryant the benefit of the doubt because of his behavior in the team facility -- doesn't complain, works hard, has become a good blocker. But the behavior away from the team has been the biggest surprise.

"That's why all this is kind of shock to me," Roethlisberger said.