Even though Antonio Brown’s departure from Pittsburgh certainly didn’t lack in the drama department, JuJu Smith-Schuster is maintaining that there’s none lingering between him and his former teammate as mandatory minicamp marches on.
Nearly 3 weeks after saying that team chemistry is”on point” following the transaction that sent Brown to the Oakland Raiders in March, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ new No. 1 receiver addressed where things are today.
Obviously, he’s not foreseeing any flareups such as both engaged in over Twitter this spring the second time he and Brown are at the same area.
“I looked at him as a role model and in that situation I didn’t want it to end like this. I don’t have any hard feelings against him,” Smith-Schuster informed the press at his locker Wednesday. “Obviously, if we were in the exact same room, I will say what is up to him. I believe hatred is a huge word to use against someone.
“At the end of the afternoon, he’s a great player. He comes out every day, his work ethic. He worked hard. Other than that, I really don’t have anything towards him or anything like that.”
Smith-Schuster will likely continue to field just as many questions about Brown this year because he has kickoffs throughout his budding career but he can’t allow it to be a diversion.
Back in May, the 22-year-old said he felt as a”French bulldog barking at everyone” but, as the year approaches, Smith-Schuster will need to set himself as the alpha one of a group of recipients appearing to prove themselves after the charismatic Brown’s departure.
Perhaps playing with and learning from Brown his first two seasons gave the young wideout, who made the Pro Bowl in 2018 following a year with 111 catches, 1,426 yards and 7 TDs, the essential tools to take over in his third season?
Only time will tell if Smith-Schuster can steady the Steelers having an increased workload and then fill the void left by the seven-time Pro Bowler.

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