5 NFL WRs who publicly criticized their QB feat. Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham Jr.
One of the most important relationships in the NFL is between a quarterback and a wide receiver. Developing chemistry and seeing a defense through the same eyes is crucial when designing route combinations in a passing game. The more they're on the same page, the better chances they have at carving up an NFL defense.
While many quarterbacks and wide receivers develop close friendships because of the massive amounts of work they put in together, others don't. Wide receivers sometimes become frustrated with their quarterback for one reason or another and publicly criticize them.
Here are five times that has happened.
#1 Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb
Terrell Owens is known for being outspoken about his opinions, which often include criticisms of the quarterbacks he played with. After a feud with Jeff Garcia on the San Francisco 49ers, Owens joined the Philadelphia Eagles and Donovan McNabb.
Owens publicly criticized McNabb multiple times during their time together. Owens blamed McNabb for their Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots. He also often stated that the Eagles would be a much better NFL team with a different quarterback. They blamed each other for the fractured relationship and overall struggles of the Eagles.
Owens appeared on Untold Stories and regarding the Super Bowl loss he said:
“I’ve talked to teammates since then and know for a fact that he was out the night before the biggest game pretty much of all of our careers there. There were people that saw him out and said he was drinking. I think that contributed to him throwing up in the huddle.”
Appearing on the Club Shay Shay podcast, Owens was asked who he would fight in a boxing match. Unsurprisingly, Owens picked McNabb. He also said the following:
“I’m dead serious, Shannon, I’ll knock him out. Because there would be so much pent-up (rage)."
#2 Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger
When Antonio Brown forced his way out of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, he blamed others, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He attacked Roethlisberger in several ways and questioned his character.
He said the quarterback had an "owner mentality" and implied Roethlisberger lacked respect.
No conflict just a matter of respect! Mutual respect! He has a owner mentality like he can call out anybody including coaches. Players know but they can’t say anything about it otherwise they meal ticket gone. It’s a dirty game within a game. #truth twitter.com/SavoRPC/status…
Brown and Roethlisberger had a public feud for about a year, but both of them have since apologized. Both acknowledged playing a role in destroying their relationship, which included elite chemistry on the field.