If there was any question regarding JuJu Smith-Schuster's thoughts on the situation with Antonio Brown, the Steelers receiver answered it yesterday.
Speaking in a Q&A video on Youtube, posted Sunday night, Smith-Schuster says he wants Brown to remain with the Steelers, despite Brown leaving the team before its Week 17 game against the Bengals.
"No, I don’t want AB traded,” Smith-Schuster replied to a pointed question. “He makes me better. He makes the team better. He’s awesome. He’s a great dude.
“For myself, I learn a lot from him — just playing with him. If I want to increase my game to be the best, I gotta compete against him. So, I do not want him traded.”
Smith-Schuster, who was voted team MVP by his peers, led the Steelers in receptions in 2018 with 111 receptions for 1,427 yards and seven touchdowns. It marked the first time since 2012, when Brown missed three games because of injury, that someone other than him led the team in receptions.
Brown finished with 104 receptions for 1,297 yards and a league-high 15 touchdown catches. His touchdown total set a record for a Steelers receiver, while his 100-reception season was his sixth-straight, a league record.
But Brown skipped the team's final game against the Bengals, refusing to return phone calls from Mike Tomlin and team president Art Rooney II. That has continued, and though Brown has not officially requested a trade, the Steelers are discussing potential trades of the star receiver.
Rooney said last week he can't envision Brown being on the team's roster in 2019.
"We’ll look at all the options," Rooney said. "We’re not going to release him, that’s not on the table. But I will say all other options are on the table.
"Whether the situation can be reconciled and have him back on the team next year, we’re a long way away from thinking that can happen. We’re not closing the door on anything at this point.”
