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The Pittsburgh Steelers are apparently making another sturdy push at a Tremendous Bowl run with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback. They introduced again the veteran quarterback, who took a $5 million pay lower to stay with the crew. One participant Huge Ben probably gained’t be throwing to is JuJu Smith-Schuster, who revealed his destiny with the crew on a latest Twitter ballot.
JuJu Smith-Schuster quietly had a powerful 2020 season
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JuJu Smith-Schuster broke into the NFL in 2017 after taking part in his faculty soccer at USC. He was a second-round decide of the Pittsburgh Steelers and began seven of the 14 video games he performed his rookie 12 months. He had a really productive season with 917 receiving yards on 58 catches. Smith-Schuster additionally scored seven touchdowns.
Smith-Schuster broke out in his second 12 months within the NFL. He grew to become the Steelers’ prime wideout risk, racking up 111 catches for a career-high 1,426 receiving yards. Smith-Schuster added seven landing receptions and made his solely Professional Bowl.
He had a down 12 months in 2019 when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sidelined a lot of the season. This season, Smith-Schuster bounced again when Roethlisberger returned, catching a career-high 9 landing passes. He additionally recorded 97 catches for 831 yards.
Smith-Schuster misplaced within the shuffle
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After JuJu Smith-Schuster’s breakout season in 2018, it appeared he was going to take over for Antonio Brown because the Steelers Professional Bowl receiver of the longer term. It hasn’t fairly turned out that method. The speedy receiver had a down 12 months in 2019, primarily due to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback state of affairs.
With Ben Roethlisberger injuring his elbow early within the 12 months, the Steelers’ offense suffered a significant blow. When he returned in 2020, they seemed just like the crew to beat, leaping out to an 11-0 document. They faltered down the stretch, ending 12-4.
Smith-Schuster was now not the massive man on campus within the vast receiver division. The emergence of rookie wide receiver Chase Claypool and second-year receiver Diontae Johnson took a lot of the eye away from Smith-Schuster. Though Smith-Schuster led the receivers with 97 catches, he was joined by Johnson (88) and Claypool (62), who had bigger-than-expected seasons.
Smith-Schuster votes on a Twitter ballot about himself
With the emergence of two youthful vast receivers in Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have a choice to make. JuJu Smith-Schuster might be trying to receives a commission and the expectation is the Steelers will let him go.
On Thursday, Sports activities Illustrated put out a ballot on Twitter concerning Smith-Schuster’s future with the Steelers. The query was: Is the Ju-Ju Smith period over in Pittsburgh? The choices had been ‘I hope so’ and ‘That’s a unfavorable.’
Issues didn’t look promising for Smith-Schuster returning to the Black & Gold when SI’s ballot confirmed an 89% likelihood of him not returning. What made issues much more probably that he gained’t return is Smith-Schuster voted on the ballot and was a part of the group who believes he gained’t be again.
All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
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