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Smith-Schuster: ‘heavy run offense’ made Ravens his third choice in free agency initially appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Nicely earlier than NFL free company hit, followers and entrance places of work have been eying JuJu Smith-Schuster. He brings two issues that just about each workforce appears to be like for in a free agent extensive receiver: immense expertise and youth.
It has been broadly reported that he had plenty of engaging choices to select from, particularly the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. However the 24-year-old former Professional-Bowler finally opted for a one-year deal that may see him spend a minimum of one other season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On the Michael Irvin Podcast, Smith-Schuster shared a bit about his resolution making course of, together with which groups got here in second and third on his listing.
“Baltimore, [Kansas City] they’re all nice groups, little doubt. These groups are playoff contenders yearly for the following 5 to 10 years. I respect that about them,” he mentioned.
Each groups had a lot to supply Smith-Schuster, however in contrast to Andy Reid and the Chiefs, the Ravens did not have a Lombardi Trophy to wave in front of him. And in accordance with Smith-Schuster’s analysis, it in all probability wouldn’t have mattered in the event that they did.
“T. Martin was the coach at USC who coached me. He ended up going to the Ravens. He reached out and that is how that course of began,” he mentioned. “Lamar reached out. The pinnacle coach referred to as. Marlon Humphrey was hitting me up. It begins getting severe when the gamers begin texting you and hitting you up like ‘Yo what’s up bro? What we doing? Come win,'” he laughed.
The Ravens heavy pursuit comes as no shock. They have been in want of a No. 1 choice at extensive receiver as they seemed to steadiness out a rush-heavy offense. However, paradoxically, that rush-heavy offense is what put the Ravens behind the Chiefs in his eyes.
“Lamar [Jackson]’s a extremely, a heavy run offense with the backs that he has, his No. 1 goal was [Mark] Andrews, who’s a decent finish…it could have been KC after the Steelers.”
On the finish of the day, it wasn’t simply the state of the Ravens’ offense that turned Smith-Schuster off. His familiarity with Pittsburgh appeared to make all of the distinction. After beginning final season 11-0 and falling flat in opposition to the Cleveland Browns within the first spherical of the playoffs, he is greater than assured persevering with his pursuit of a Tremendous Bowl title with the one quarterback, solely coach, and solely franchise he is identified since coming into the league in 2017.
“Being in that related ambiance and surroundings understanding that the workforce is aware of you, they know your historical past, they understand how you might be and learn how to use you and stuff like that,” he mentioned have been the primary causes he is preserving his abilities in Pittsburgh.
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