Former Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster Defended By Cameron Heyward: 'It's Really Crazy That People Come Up With These Takes'

The Pittsburgh Steelers are taking a lot of heat for seeming to put up with the antics of wide receiver George Pickens. Part of the criticism is that the team has been here before. They have had a string of receivers with diva-like tendencies that included Antonio Brown , Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. The Steelers certainly aren't the only team in the league to deal with wide receivers with big personalities. That seems to be a common trait among NFL skill players.

The key has always been to strike the right balance between playmaker ability and minimizing off-field antics. The Steelers selected Smith-Schuster in the second round in 2017, hoping he would partner with Brown and give the team an incredible offensive duo. Unfortunately, Brown seemed to be more worried about personal gains than about the team's success. On top of that, Smith-Schuster led the team in many receiving categories in his second season. His jealousy over Smith-Schuster caused strife within the organization, and ultimately, he requested to be traded after the 2018 season. 

In 2018, fans were just getting a glimpse of the chaos that Brown would cause, and they mainly were glad to see him go. After all, they had Smith-Schuster, and while he wasn't Brown, he made the Pro Bowl that year. However, fans seemed to be extra sensitive to any perceived antics from their receivers and shifted their frustrations onto Smith-Schuster. They criticized him for making TikTok videos, dancing on logos, and smack-talking opponents. 

Cameron Heyward was there for all of it, playing with both Brown and Smith-Schuster. On his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward, he recently said he is glad he has succeeded with the Kansas City Chiefs. He said all the trash people talked about Smith-Schuster never made sense to him. 

"What was the thing going around everybody said," remarked Heyward. "Everybody said his knee was going to explode. I think they said they were going to explode, I honestly think somebody said that. But the dude is productive as h**l and you start weighing risk versus reward and the dude's about to play in what, his third Super Bowl or his second Super Bowl? It's really crazy that people come up with these takes. Crazy!"

The report Heyward refers to was made by Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer when Smith-Schuster signed with the New England Patriots. He cautioned that Smith-Schuster's knee was a "mess" and "could explode at any point." Smith-Schuster laughed off the story, saying Breer was just hoping for a headline. 

Smith-Schuster is on his second stint with the Chiefs, and it has to be a bit like Deja vu. During his first time in Kansas City in the 2022 season, the Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl 38-35. Smith-Schuster caught seven passes for 53 yards, including drawing a crucial penalty with just under two minutes in the game that gave them a first down and allowed them to run out the clock. 

Steelers' George Pickens' Future Hangs In The Balance

Pickens will be eligible for a contract extension this offseason, and the team has to make a big decision. Insiders worry that he will be an even bigger distraction if he doesn't get offered an extension. 

They also have to be careful not to shoot themselves in the foot. If they trade Pickens away, they have to replace him and find the number two receiver they were already missing. The Steelers' offense was woefully short on weapons during 2024, and they can ill afford to lose Pickens' talent without an equal replacement.