The Pittsburgh Steelers had an absolutely dominant offense in the mid-2010s led by then-offensive coordinator Todd Haley and the Killer Bs. It was a pretty chaotic time for Pittsburgh football, but it was also incredibly fun to watch all the shootouts that the team would get themselves into. There were All-Pros and Pro Bowlers at nearly every single position each year as they became the model for the modern offense at the time: high-flying passing game with a dominant run game and an elite offensive line setting everything up.
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Former Steelers WR Antonio Brown (#84) and C Maurkice Pouncey (#53) prepare to embrace one another after the receiver made a big play during a home game at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
Not even Haley saw this coming when he first got hired by the Steelers. While making an appearance on The Pump Fake, he explained his mindset before and after meeting Antonio Brown for the first time.
"One of my first days, someone had given [Antonio Brown] my number," Haley said. "He texted and said, 'Coach, I'm down in the locker room. Come down, I want to see you.' We took a picture together, and I'm like, 'I'm not excited about this little 5'10" / 5'11" guy that's not fast,' but the energy that was coming out of him was contagious. I mean, it really was."
Based off of pure Scouting Combine numbers, Brown was not impressive in the slightest. Usually, receivers under six feet tall are speed demons, but that was not the case here. He was a bit below average in terms of height and speed for his position. The fact that he was a sixth-round pick made it easy for people in the NFL like Haley to kind of dismiss him and not consider him to be a true threat in the league.
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Former Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley smiles on the practice field as Pittsburgh prepares for a game at the UPMC Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA.
That's why many people don't take the Combine seriously. Brown may not have been big or fast, but he played like he was bigger and faster than everyone else. As Haley also mentioned, he just simply worked harder than anyone else. If there was a way for him to improve his game physically, he would do it with no questions asked. Numerous players and coaches have spoken about how great it was to see him work.
For many years, Brown was easily the best wide receiver in the NFL. For a short time in 2017, he was seen as the favorite to win MVP before an ankle injury ended his regular season prematurely. He was so dominant that he would have possibly been the first wideout to ever win that award had it not been for that one play. He just barely missed out on being the Offensive Player of the Year as well that same season.
Steelers Eventually Couldn't Take The Downside Anymore
While Brown was arguably the best receiver and hardest worker in the NFL, he may have also been the craziest player the league has ever seen. With generational talent came generational tantrums, and the issues started to pile up as the years went on. In 2017, he was almost the MVP, so his antics were a little bit easier to swallow at the time. That mindset would change up quickly in the following year.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks with former wide receiver Antonio Brown as the team warms up prior to a home game at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
Brown finished off his 2018 season with his sixth straight 100+ reception, 1,200+ yard season, but it was no longer fun to watch. The receiver was getting in trouble nonstop until the final week of the season, where he finally got benched as the team made up a fake injury to try and hide that. After that, they finally traded him away for a minimal return and looked to try and get as many pieces as possible to fill his shoes.
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