[ad_1]
Getty
Pittsburgh Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster.
It’s troublesome to challenge how doubtless it’s that the Pittsburgh Steelers will make a severe effort to re-sign fourth-year broad receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, not with out understanding the wage cap for 2021. However cap constraints apart, no less than three issues level towards Smith-Schuster not returning to Pittsburgh.
First, going again to the Nineteen Nineties the Steelers have signed simply two broad receivers to second contracts—Hines Ward and Antonio Brown. Second, with Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and James Washington nonetheless below contract, broad receiver is among the positions the place the Steelers have confirmed depth, making it simpler to permit the previous second-round decide to stroll away. Third, Smith-Schuster is usually considered one of the Top 25 players projected to be out there in free company, so shedding him will doubtless end result within the Steelers receiving a compensatory draft decide in 2022, thereby softening the blow.
If Not the Steelers, Then … The Bears?
Assuming the Steelers can’t or received’t pay JuJu Smith-Schuster what he believes he’s price, the USC product will definitely have a number of suitors. In his function on the “one free agent each NFL team ought to pursue within the 2021 offseason,” Sam Monson of Professional Soccer Focus means that the Chicago Bears ought to make a run at Smith-Schuster.
“With out a lot money to spend, the Bears is probably not all-in on the highest names at [wide receiver],” notes Monson. “Nevertheless, JuJu Smith-Schuster’s struggles previously couple of years will make his price ticket low sufficient. He nonetheless has essentially the most touchdowns of any receiver within the league when lined up within the slot over the previous two seasons (11). Smith-Schuster has functioned on the surface in addition to within the slot, even when he has been much less efficient there, however he would be capable of carry out inside Chicago’s offense.”
After all, it’s Smith-Schuster’s (relative) struggles previously two seasons that make his worth troublesome to judge.
Smith-Schuster had 111 catches for 1,426 yards and 7 touchdowns in his breakout second season. However he caught simply 42 passes for 552 yards and three touchdowns when taking part in with quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Devlin ‘Duck’ Hodges in 2019.
This previous yr he caught 97 passes and had 9 landing receptions however gained simply 831 yards (8.6 yards per reception) whereas taking part in with a declining, 38-year-old Ben Roethlisberger. The longest cross he caught all yr was a 31-yard landing in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys.
The Social Media Issue
One other situation for Smith-Schuster’s future employer—whether or not it’s the Steelers, the Bears, or one other NFL staff—is Smith-Schuster’s ongoing concentrate on nurturing his social media presence (3.4 million followers on Instagram, 2.8 million followers on TikTok) and constructing his private model. Few NFL observers have instructed that it has compromised his on-field efficiency. And for many of his time in Pittsburgh, Smith-Schuster has been one of many staff’s hottest gamers, one who regularly contributes to charitable endeavors, together with his donation to the Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation being the newest instance.
However in 2020, Smith-Schuster’s social media and private branding turned a double-edged sword for the Steelers. Not solely did his pre-game logo dancing turn out to be a distraction for his coaches and teammates—a lot in order that head coach Mike Tomlin needed to have “a talk” with Smith-Schuster—they appeared to function added motivation for no less than two of Pittsburgh opponents, specifically the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.
Moreover, his desire to celebrate the aforementioned 31-yard landing reception on the Dallas Star at AT&T Stadium may have simply led to an in-game altercation.
What Does JuJu Smith-Schuster Need?
When you ask Smith-Schuster about his priorities as he enters free company, he says successful is on the high of the listing.
Showing on ‘The Doug Gottlieb Show’ on Monday, he stated, “For me, I’m at all times about successful. I wish to be on a staff the place we’re combating … the place we compete for the playoffs yearly.”
However he didn’t low cost the “enterprise facet and the cash.”
“I really feel like I wish to be paid for what I’m price, clearly, for what I do for the staff, significantly,” noting that he believes he did an admirable job with the alternatives he had in 2020.
“I feel I did fairly nicely, Smith-Schuster stated. “So far as like changing on third downs, so far as making performs for my staff when it should be wanted, catching the ball, getting vertical, I feel I did a fairly good job. Once they referred to as out my identify, I used to be there to reply.”
In the meantime, (most) Steelers followers shall be completely satisfied to listen to that he’s very a lot open to persevering with his profession in Pittsburgh.
“I’d love to come back again,” Smith-Schuster stated. “I’d like to play with Ben for [the time he’s still] right here.”
Observe the Heavy on Steelers Facebook page for the newest breaking information, rumors and content material!
• Patricia Rooney, Wife of Late Steelers Owner Dan Rooney, Dies at 88
[ad_2]
Source link
