NFL teams
Jeremy Fowler, senior NFL national reporter 5y

JuJu answers AB's slight, slams ex-Steeler's ego

NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders

JuJu Smith-Schuster is clapping back.

After another social media slight from former teammate Antonio Brown, the Steelers wideout used Twitter to respond on Sunday.

Brown, now an Oakland Raider, got Smith-Schuster's attention with a scathing comment in response to a Steelers fan tagging Brown to a post highlighting Smith-Schuster's team MVP award:

The tweet from Brown was citing Smith-Schuster's crucial Week 16 fumble against New Orleans in the final minute that allowed the Saints to hang on for a 31-28 win and dealt a huge blow to the Steelers' playoff hopes. 

Smith-Schuster also tweeted a quote from author Mark Twain: 

Brown took a perceived shot at Smith-Schuster last week when he tweeted that players who haven't been paid shouldn't be trusted. Smith-Schuster -- who is still on his rookie contract while Brown is on his third extension -- had expressed his support for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shortly before then.

Despite scoring 15 touchdowns in 2018, Brown's relationship with Roethlisberger deteriorated late in the season. Issues with the team coupled with the desire for a new deal prompted the Steelers to trade Brown to Oakland in exchange for third- and fifth-round picks.

Whispers of Brown's unhappiness with the team MVP voting surfaced late in the season, and Brown's tweet echoes those suspicions. Steelers players vote for the award, which Brown had won four times in nine years.

Smith-Schuster led the Steelers in receptions (111) and yards (1,426) last season.

Brown's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN in a recent interview that the presence of Smith-Schuster wasn't a factor in Brown's desire to be traded, but rather the need for a new start.

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