JuJu Smith-Schuster says Steelers' locker room has better vibe: 'The chemistry is on point'

Kirstie Chiappelli

JuJu Smith-Schuster says Steelers' locker room has better vibe: 'The chemistry is on point' image

Things are already looking up for the Steelers this season, and third-year receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is ready to lead the young group of wideouts on a comeback campaign in 2019 after the team finished 9-6-1 and second in the AFC North in 2018.

“With the experience I’ve had at this point, age is just a number,” Smith-Schuster told reporters Wednesday. “I’ve played enough games under my belt that I’ll be able to take on this. It’s another challenge I have to deal with.”

Despite his young age of 22, Smith-Schuster's 30 games played with the Steelers is tied with Eli Rogers for the most among receivers on the 91-man roster, which will be cut down to 53 by Aug. 31. While it's a considerable void left following the dramatic departure of Antonio Brown in March, Smith-Schuster is more than capable of taking on the challenge.

He showed he's ready to carry the bulk of the workload last season by leading the team with 111 catches for 1,426 yards, which led to his first Pro Bowl selection and being named Steelers MVP by his teammates, another reason Brown was rumored to want out of Pittsburgh as he was compared to the jealous older sibling of his attention-grabbing baby brother.

But Smith-Schuster doesn't care about numbers or being the prime target, he just wants to win.

“It’s super exciting, but I don’t think of it like that,” Smith-Schuster said. “It’s not about a No. 1 guy. Yeah, you have a No. 1 quarterback, a No. 1 running back. But it’s a collective game. The only way you move the ball is if all 11 make plays. That’s what it’s going to take to win the Super Bowl.

“I’ll be looking at mine, my own team and how we do and how we win. I would take five catches for 30 yards and win the game than have 10 catches and two touchdowns (and lose). It’s not about myself. It’s getting to the Super Bowl.”

As for Brown? Smith-Schuster still wishes him well despite being the unsuspecting target of Brown's infamous offseason Twitter rant, though he admitted things have fallen into place since the disgruntled veteran left to sign with Oakland.

“At the end of the day, that’s his opinion,” Smith-Schuster said. “For myself, I stand from afar. I’m not worried about what he’s got going on with his team. I wish him nothing but the best. He’s a great player. He dominates on the field. I’m worrying about the guys we have here, my teammates and how I can be great on and off the field.

“The chemistry is on point. We don’t really have … everyone is on the same page and communicating. There is no drama in our locker room.”

Pittsburgh's OTAs are scheduled to run May 21 through June 6 before minicamp from June 11-13.

Kirstie Chiappelli