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PITTSBURGH — Greedy one finish of a thick, knotted rope, Pittsburgh Steelers huge receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster dug his toes in and used all of his muscular 6-foot-1, 215-pound body to drag again as arduous as he may. On the different finish, although, a 425-pound lion clutched the rope in her mouth and pulled again with ease, controlling the tug of struggle in opposition to the NFL huge receiver.
After a couple of minutes, Smith-Schuster gave into the lion’s energy and his finish of the rope went slack as he loosened his grip in give up.
A number of days later, the upcoming free agent posted the video to social media and hypothesis of a deeper which means behind the stunt picked up.
Maybe Smith-Schuster is signing with the Detroit Lions? Perhaps he’s in a back-and-forth tug of struggle with the Steelers over his future with the franchise?
Younger expertise at receiver like Chase Claypool, left, may make it simpler for the Steelers to maneuver on from JuJu Smith-Schuster, proper. Michael Reaves/Getty Photos
Or one of the best clarification of the publish: It’s simply JuJu being JuJu.
In all chance, there’s not a lot of a behind-the-scenes tug of struggle between the Steelers and their star huge receiver. Smith-Schuster is hitting free company for the primary time, and whereas he was a key a part of the offense final 12 months as a dependable third-down goal and a gritty participant who may muscle via defenders for additional yards, the Steelers don’t traditionally give second contracts to huge receivers. Solely Hines Ward and Antonio Brown have been given second contracts in current Steelers historical past.
“I might love to remain in Pittsburgh,” Smith-Schuster stated after the season-ending loss to the Browns within the first spherical of the playoffs. “I constructed a robust basis and a robust fan base. I like Coach [Mike] Tomlin and Coach Ike [Hilliard], all people I’ve been round. They’ve helped change the way in which I’m, I like the sport of soccer and I might like to do it once more.”
Earlier this week, Smith-Schuster hinted at a departure, commenting on an Instagram publish from offensive lineman Zach Banner about going silent on social media till he bought his new contract signed.
“Want I can get one,” Smith-Schuster wrote, including three tearful emojis.
Hmmm pic.twitter.com/1ezM9CTdOJ
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) February 28, 2021
Even when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger advocates for Smith-Schuster, all indicators level to a departure for the fan favourite, abandoning a room with much less persona however loads of expertise.
With out Smith-Schuster, the Steelers will flip to Diontae Johnson, James Washington — who enters the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal in 2021 — and second-year receiver Chase Claypool. In addition they may choose to convey again return man and restricted free agent Ray-Ray McCloud.
The trio underneath contract provides the Steelers loads of playmakers. Claypool burst on the scene as a rookie with 9 touchdowns and 873 receiving yards, and Washington confirmed a stronger reference to Roethlisberger within the pair’s second full season taking part in collectively.
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See what occurs when JuJu Smith-Schuster makes an attempt to take physique photographs from Ryan Garcia.
First-year offensive coordinator Matt Canada favored a robust vertical passing recreation in his school offenses, one thing that bodes properly for Claypool and Washington if Canada implements the same scheme in Pittsburgh.
Whereas Johnson’s pace could make him a deep menace, he’ll almost definitely be utilized in Canada’s signature jet sweeps.
Johnson was Roethlisberger’s favourite goal by quantity with 144 targets and 88 receptions, however he went via stretches the place he was extra identified for the catches he didn’t make. Assuming he resolves his drop struggles, he’ll be an necessary participant in executing Canada’s pre-snap motion and disguised performs.
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However even with these weapons, the Steelers will nonetheless need assistance absorbing Smith-Schuster’s loss, starting with figuring out the workforce’s subsequent slot receiver.
If McCloud comes again, his measurement and pace make him an apparent candidate to assist fill Smith-Schuster’s position within the slot.
The Steelers may nonetheless search for assist to fill out the huge receiver room with discount free brokers or a late-round draft decide. The Steelers beforehand tried out former Pitt product Quadree Henderson, who had success operating the jet sweep in Canada’s offense, however he was waived earlier than the tip of coaching camp in 2020.
The Steelers may take a look at including free agent Nelson Agholor, who had his greatest season in Las Vegas a 12 months in the past with 896 yards and eight touchdowns, however his manufacturing may hold his price ticket out of attain. If the Steelers choose to search for an inside man within the draft, they might goal gamers comparable to South Carolina’s Shi Smith, Clemson’s Amari Rodgers or Western Michigan’s D’Wayne Eskridge. The Steelers, in any case, love their MAC merchandise.
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