Former Steelers Javon Hargrave, JuJu Smith-Schuster on big stage at Super Bowl

A few weeks before he can strut into free agency, Javon Hargrave can wobble onto the field at the Super Bowl.

Hargrave was affectionately dubbed “J Wobble” by teammates upon being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016. But five days after turning 30, Hargrave could cap his third season with the Philadelphia Eagles by earning a Super Bowl ring.

For the 12th consecutive year, the Steelers aren’t in the Super Bowl. But a pair of ex-Steelers are. And while Kansas City Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster might be the bigger name in Sunday’s big game, Hargrave is likely recognized as the better player.

Hargrave was a Pro Bowl alternate this season after he made the Pro Bowl roster last year. In the final year of his contract with Philadelphia, Bleacher Report ranked Hargrave as the best pending unrestricted free agent playing in Super Bowl LVII.

Quite a journey for a player who only played roughly half of the defensive snaps over his four seasons with the Steelers.

“In Pittsburgh, I didn’t really play as much like I’m playing in Philadelphia,” Hargrave told ESPN’s Andscape.com in Glendale, Ariz., this week. “But when I got to Philly, they just cut me loose. They put me in good situations to win.

“I just grew up. I think Pittsburgh helped me, too, but I grew up here in Philadelphia, just being consistent and, like I say, sticking to my routine.”

Hargrave was dubbed “Wobble” by Steelers veteran teammates on the defensive line who good-naturedly noted the positioning of the 6-foot-2, 305-pound Hargrave’s rear end while he’d gain leverage on would-be blockers.

Hargrave laughed along with Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt when they called him that back in 2016, but Hargrave’s work paid off in March 2020 when he signed a $39 million contract with the Eagles.

The Steelers liked Hargrave but at the time had already invested heavily in Heyward and Tuitt and figured they could not pour any more money into their defensive line.

But Tuitt has not played since 2020. Meanwhile, over the past two years Hargrave accounted for 20½ sacks, 20 tackles for loss and 34 QB hits as a significant part of what is the consensus best defensive line in the NFL.

“To see him going into his contract year and having his best season … it’s been cool,” veteran Eagles defensive lineman Brandon Graham said during Super Bowl media day.

If Hargrave doesn’t win his first Super Bowl ring Sunday, Smith-Schuster will. One year and two weeks after Smith-Schuster’s fifth season with the Steelers ended at Arrowhead Stadium, he was back on the same field Jan. 29 in the AFC championship game as a winner. Though he suffered a knee injury during that game, the Chiefs’ home victory wasn’t any less sweet for Smith-Schuster.

“I’ve been chasing a Super Bowl ring for the past six years,” he told reporters in Arizona this week. “I’m actually here, and it’s unbelievable.”

In typical Smith-Schuster fashion, some fun during his media interactions this past week earned him ire from fans in Eastern Pennsylvania. “The best Philly cheesesteaks are not in Philly,” he said.

But on the field, Smith-Schuster also was his typical self. He was a reliable target who quickly earned the trust of MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Smith-Schuster had 78 catches for 933 yards and three touchdowns, ranking 19th in the NFL in yards per target (9.2) during a season in which the Chiefs depended on him to help replace traded All-Pro Tyreek Hill.

Playing on a one-year contract, Smith-Schuster led Kansas City wideouts in catches and yards.

“I love JuJu; great personality, so we like that addition,” Kansas City coach Andy Reid said. “He also complements (All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce). He has the ability to feel space in openings, and Patrick trusts that. He’s sure-handed, he’s great after the catch, he’s tough to bring down and he’s smart. He picked all this stuff up, and he did it well.”

Smith-Schuster had more receiving yards in 2022 than any Steelers player. But at media day in Glendale this week, Smith-Schuster said he still feels supported by some of his ex-teammates, including Heyward, receiver Diontae Johnson and former Steelers James Washington and James Conner.

“The support I get from those guys… is really cool,” Smith-Schuster said.

“These are the guys who pretty much set me up (for success).”