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Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 Burning questions entering 2019 training camp

By Samuel Teets

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 04: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks to Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 04: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks to Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 16: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 after a 17 yard touchdown reception in the first quarter during the game against the New England Patriots at Heinz Field on December 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 16: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 after a 17 yard touchdown reception in the first quarter during the game against the New England Patriots at Heinz Field on December 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

4. How will the wide receiver corps fare without Brown?

Antonio Brown has put together one of the best six-year runs by a wide receiver in NFL history. Since the start of the 2013 season, he has recorded 686 receptions, 9,145 receiving yards, and 67 receiving touchdowns.

During that time, he has never finished with fewer than 100 receptions in a season. He also led the league in receptions twice, receiving yards twice, and receiving touchdowns once. Brown never missed a Pro Bowl and was a consecutive four-time First-Team All-Pro during those six years.

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If you haven’t caught on yet, the Steelers just lost a huge piece of their offense that was a cornerstone of the team for the better part of the last decade. With Brown gone, JuJu Smith-Schuster will take over as the team’s top wide receiver. The USC product is only entering his third season, but he’s already experienced great success at the pro level. Last season, he made the Pro Bowl and recorded 111 receptions, 1,426 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns.

The big question surrounding Smith-Schuster is, how will he fare without Brown drawing double coverages? I don’t know if he can maintain his 2018 production as the top receiver on a team yet.

Donte Moncrief, who the Steelers signed this offseason, will likely be the second option at receiver. Moncrief has flashed potential in the past, but he’s never consistently produced at the levels that second receivers on the Steelers usually reach. How he plays will be a huge factor in whether Pittsburgh sinks or swims this season.

The Steelers also have a pair of unproven young receivers in rookie Diontae Johnson and James Washington. Washington failed to impress as a rookie while Johnson occasionally flashed potential at Toledo. Pittsburgh has had a good track record with receivers under the current regime. I just hope that holds true in these two cases.

Slot receivers, Eli Rogers and Ryan Switzer contributed last season, but they won’t be among the key reasons why the Steelers win games.

Considering how heavily the Steelers rely on their passing game to win, fans have to hope the team’s young wide receivers show signs of progression in training camp.

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