Steelers Former Wide Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster Notices Meticulous Similarities Between Mike Tomlin And Other Elite Head Coaches

Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, JuJu Smith-Schuster, has had quite the privilege of playing under some of the best coaching minds in the NFL. He recently signed with the New England Patriots after winning the Super Bowl in 2022 with the Kansas City Chiefs. In a recent interview with ESPN, Smith-Schuster discussed the similarities that he's seen between Steelers Head Coach, Mike Tomlin and the other head coaches he has played for throughout his NFL career.

Smith-Schuster is currently playing for Bill Belichick in New England, who is considered to be one of the best coaches of all time. Smith-Schuster also played for Andy Reid and the Chiefs in 2022. So far in his career, he has played for Tomlin, Reid, and Belichick, who all currently have the most regular season victories among active head coaches. These three also occupy three of the top four spots for the longest tenured head coaches in the NFL, so it's safe to say they are widely considered three of the best at what they do. 

Former Steelers Receiver Sees Similarities Between The Three Head Coaches

Tomlin, Reid, and Belichick have all been extremely successful in their head coaching careers. They have all accomplished the main goal: winning a Super Bowl. Belichick has won six, Reid has won two and Tomlin has won one. They all are future Hall Of Famers. Smith-Schuster was asked what similarity they all have that makes them so successful. 

"Bro! All three coaches speak the same language when it comes to championship mindset. They say it in different ways, but it's all the same message. And you can feel that winning mindset throughout each organization." 

It is no doubt that every organization Smith-Schuster has been a part of has laid the framework for a winning franchise. The Steelers, Chiefs and Patriots are three of the most successful NFL teams in the league's history. The Steelers and Patriots are tied for the most Super Bowls victories by a team with six. The Chiefs have won three, with two coming recently. They are one of the most successful teams since 2018, having made the AFC Championship each season.

Smith-Schuster played for Pittsburgh for five seasons. He struggled with injuries towards the end of his time with the Steelers, which is one of the main reasons the team did not re-sign him during 2022 free agency. Smith-Schuster had his most successful season with the Steelers in 2018, in which he caught 111 passes for 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns. He made his first and only Pro-Bowl that year and it remains his only 1,000-yard season. 

In addition to being lucky based on the head coaches Smith-Schuster has had the opportunity to play for, he has also been able to play with amazing quarterbacks. For his entire time playing in Pittsburgh, he was catching passes primarily from future Hall Of Famer, Ben Roethlisberger (aside from the 2019 season when Roethlisberger missed most of the year). In his only season with the Chiefs, he got to work with perennial All-Pro and two-time league MVP, Patrick Mahomes. 

This upcoming 2023 season, he will certainly be taking a step down with his quarterback play in New England, as he will presumably be catching passes from third-year quarterback, Mac Jones. Smith-Schuster will be the number one wide receiver on the Patriots depth chart, and it's quite possible he will have another successful season in New England while playing in Offensive Coordinator, Bill O'Brien's system. Some Steelers fans have soured on Smith-Schuster due to his controversial antics on social media in the past, however, most will be rooting for him to have a successful season and remainder of his career. 

What do you think about the similarities Smith-Schuster shared Steeler Nation? Let us know in the comments below!

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