When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, it sparked quite a bit of social media buzz. The drama began when Steelers' troubled wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who had been suspended for the 2016 season, took to social media to mock his teammate, Sammie Coates. Bryant wanted to make it clear to Steelers fans that Smith-Schuster wasn't drafted to replace him, but rather to take Coates' spot.
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Former Steelers wide receivers Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and JuJu Smith-Schuster during a game.
Coates, finding the post amusing, responded with a simple but pointed laugh. This exchange caught the attention of Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who humorously intervened by asking his players to "play nice" on social media. Coates, however, doubled down, replying that there was no room for playing nice in football. Eventually, Bryant deleted his post, ending the brief but entertaining social media spat.
In an exclusive interview with Steelers Takeaways, Coates was asked about that viral moment. He shared his true feelings about the incident, reflecting on what went down on social media back in 2017. The moment, while lighthearted, offered a glimpse into the competitive nature of NFL players and the playful yet intense environment within the Steelers locker room.
“Guys just talk sometimes. I talked to Bryant all the time. For him that was just about his job; it wasn’t personal about me. It was just talk. I didn’t mind it.”
Coates, Bryan, and Smith-Schuster were all vying for a starting spot in the Steelers' lineup. Unfortunately for Coates, a series of injuries hampered his ability to compete effectively. He suffered a knee injury during training camp, causing him to miss significant time. As a result, the Steelers traded him to the Cleveland Browns. In a sense, Bryant was right—Smith-Schuster did replace Coates. However, it was largely due to Coates’ untimely injury.
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Former Steelers WR Sammie Coates attempts to catch a touchdown pass against the New York Jets.
Coates played the 2017 season with the Browns, followed by a stint with the Houston Texans in 2018. After a disappointing season in Cleveland, he was released and subsequently claimed off waivers by the Texans. The 2018 season with Houston turned out to be Coates' last in the NFL.
The Steelers’ wide receiver room had become crowded, and Coates' injury was the final nail in the coffin for his career in Pittsburgh. With Bryant returning from suspension and Smith-Schuster’s rapid rise, the Steelers no longer had a need for Coates.
Ironically, 2017 also marked Bryant’s final season in Pittsburgh. He moved on to the Oakland Raiders for the 2018 season but never fully realized his immense potential. Bryant struggled to comply with the NFL’s substance abuse policy and was reinstated to the league in November 2023. Despite his efforts to make a comeback, success has eluded him.
Steelers' Sammie Coates And Martavis Bryant Were Actually Best Friends
The social media feud between Bryant and Coates generated plenty of buzz, but it wasn’t as serious as some media outlets suggested. According to former veteran wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, the two were actually close friends during their times in Pittsburgh.
"They joke around -- they actually are the closest dudes on the team," Heyward-Bey said. "It’s the brotherly thing. I’m going to take a jab at you; you take a jab at me."
It was a challenging period for the Steelers, as they were grappling with Bryant’s off-field issues and suspension, which kept them from fully tapping into his potential. Meanwhile, Coates was also struggling to find his footing in the offense.
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Former Steelers WR Sammie Coates can't haul in a deep ball against the Colts.
Then, Smith-Schuster burst onto the scene, achieving immediate success. Ironically, it turned out that Smith-Schuster effectively replaced both Bryant and Coates, cementing his place as a key player for the team. Smith-Schuster ended up leaving Pittsburgh as well and has recently been released by the New England Patriots. This has caused some to wonder if a return to Pittsburgh could be possible.
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