Is Antonio Brown Jealous of JuJu Smith-Schuster?
Even the most legendary figures in NFL history have been known to get jealously over-protective when it comes to their value to a team. 5-time NFL champion Vince Lombardi once saw his Green Bay Packers score a fluky touchdown after he had retired from coaching the team, and muttered “those lucky (bleeps)” in the press box.
But no one can do jealousy quite like a wide receiver.
Pittsburgh Steeler wideout Antonio Brown is reportedly avoiding phone calls and text messages from teammates following the conclusion of the 2018 season. Brown did not play in Week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals, and it is now being reported that the star WR may have sat out the game to teach the team a lesson about his worth.
“In the absence of details from Brown himself, here’s one working theory offered up by a team source: Brown was trying to prove a point that the team would struggle without him,” reports Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
The rift could stem from fellow wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster having won the Steelers’ team MVP award via a locker room-wide vote following the Bengals game.
QB Ben Roethlisberger has appeared to challenge Brown’s perspective in comments about the MVP vote. “There were a lot of guys, I think, were deserving of that award…to say someone else should have got it takes something away from JuJu,” Big Ben said on 93.7 The Fan radio on Tuesday. “And I think JuJu earned. I think JuJu played really hard this year, did some really great things for us.”
Smith-Schuster led the Steelers with 111 catches for 1426 yards in 2018, though Brown led all receivers on the squad with 15 touchdown catches. “AB” has played for Pittsburgh for the entirety of his 9-year NFL career.
Mike Tomlin Seems Fed Up, Ready to Trade WR Antonio Brown
The Antonio Brown situation is just getting stranger and stranger.
And Brown could be a stranger to the Pittsburgh franchise before too long.
In comments made to the media during a season-ending press conference on Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin did not mince words when discussing what he feels is an untenable relationship with the star wide receiver, leaving the door open to a possible trade.
“When we’re talking about our darkest hour…and a guy not communicating, that is a real element of discussion, certainly. There was a lack of communication there that can lead to thoughts and things of that nature,” Tomlin said while noting Brown’s absence from the lineup due to a supposed “injury” in Week 17. “The bottom line was that we were playing in a significant game and he wasn’t communicating in an appropriate enough way.”
When asked if the distraction of Brown’s lack of contentment with the Steelers was beginning to out-weigh the receiver’s contribution on the field, the coach replied, “Absolutely,” adding, “we’re not gonna be resistant to change.”
Pittsburgh failed to reach the postseason despite posting a winning record in 2018. Brown was prolific in the Steeler passing attack over 15 games, catching 104 passes for nearly 1500 yards and double-digit touchdowns. During a year in which the Black & Gold were plagued with untimely turnovers, Brown did not fumble once.
But the good chemistry seemed to vanish during the final week of practice leading up to the Cincinnati game. It is whispered that Brown was asked to re-run a route-running drill while other players were in a walk-through, and yelled “I’m done!” at veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger while exiting the practice field.
Brown did not play against Cincinnati in the final regular-season game. His teammate at WR, JuJu Smith-Schuster, caught 5 passes for 37 yards.
Media Consensus: Antonio Brown Wants Out of Pittsburgh
On Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steeler WR Antonio Brown unfollowed the Steelers on Instagram. On Wednesday, Brown followed the San Francisco 49ers.
Such is how modern NFL athletes make their feelings known.
The Pittsburgh media (and chunks of the national NFL beat) are convinced that the veteran pass-catcher wants out of Steeltown, and he might even get a boot out the door from head coach Mike Tomlin, who appears to be quietly enraged by the WR’s antics.
Brown reportedly blew up at teammates during a practice in Week 17, claimed to be injured and unable to play against the Cincinnati Bengals, then “ghosted” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as Big Ben tried calling and texting Brown, whom the former says he considers a close friend.
The estranged wideout posted footage of himself on social media with ex-Steeler LB James Harrison as the pair watched Tomlin’s press conference on Wednesday. Brown tweeted himself telling fans, “stay tuned for a big interview.”
“If we’re reading tea leaves, Antonio Brown is likely gone,” NFL Network analyst Aditi Kinkhabwala tweeted earlier this week. “Mike Tomlin said “certainly” when asked if there’s a point where talent becomes not worth it. Multiple teammates say they’re done.”
“Something in (Tomlin’s) voice and in his look was just different today,” tweeted Pittsburgh talk radio host Colin Dunlap after observing the presser. “He spoke slower, much slower. Mike Tomlin was downright mad…I honestly think he wants to trade Antonio Brown. I think he’s finished dealing with him.”
The emergence of 2nd-year wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster, who led the team in receptions and yards gained by a WR in 2018, may have something to do with Brown’s aloof attitude toward the team and coaching staff. Rumors indicate that Brown reacted poorly to Smith-Schuster winning a locker room vote for team MVP following the season.
