JuJu Smith-Schuster sold on making impact for Steelers in 2021

Two days after endorsing a condom brand on his verified Instagram account, JuJu Smith-Schuster was again at it once more as a pitch man Friday.

Within the star receiver’s first media availability of Pittsburgh Steelers coaching camp, Smith-Schuster continued his gross sales job to his coaches to play on the outside in lieu of the slot.

He placed on the laborious promote for the group to fairly compensate a longtime teammate.

And at one level he even sounded as if he was studying a script for a fast-food industrial.

“I’ve been consuming Chick-Fil-A rather a lot recently,” Smith-Schuster stated when requested if he placed on weigt over the offseason. “Chick-FIl-A, I obtained a lot for love for that…

“So hopefully after the Tremendous Bowl win, I’ll go and have the 50-piece.”

The 50-piece is a reference to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s viral social-media video during which he ordered as many rooster nuggets as he may whereas taking the Larry O’Brien Trophy via the drive-through a day after profitable the NBA title.

Antetokounmpo signed a $228 million contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks in December. Smith-Schuster’s goal in advocating for Watt isn’t fairly that – nevertheless it was shut.

“For T.J., for positive, 130 (million)?” he stated, “One-hundred forty, 150-mill plus. Simply. Little doubt.”

Smith-Schuster is again with the Steelers after his visions of maybe approaching 9 figures for a contract had been dashed in free company, leaving the Steelers’ one-year offer of $7 million as his most suitable choice.

Maybe motivated by maximizing his worth in the marketplace subsequent spring, Smith-Schuster has made it no secret he prefers to play as an out of doors receiver as a substitute of working out of the slot like he did most of final season.

Smith-Schuster says new offensive coordinator Matt Canada is on board.

“That’s one thing that we’ve got talked about, Smith-Schuster stated, “and it’s been going very well.”

The slot, although, is the place Smith-Schuster collected sufficient catches throughout 2020 to complete ninth within the NFL with 97. It’s additionally the place he completed tied for second within the league in third-dpwn receptions that gained a primary down.

That was an space during which he maybe most earned lauds from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. When Roethlisberger wanted 3 or 4 yards on third down, Smith-Schuster in the course of the sector was his proverbial safety blanket.

Can Smith-Schuster nonetheless be that if he’s lining up outdoors?

“Oh yeah, for positive,” he stated. “Little doubt. You may be anyplace on the sector. So long as you’re on the sector, you could be a blanket for Ben.”

Although Smith-Schuster continues to be solely 24 years previous, the 2017 second-round decide ranks tied for fifth on the workforce with reference to longest steady tenure with the Steelers. As such, coupled with the offseason departure of a handful of veteran leaders, is Smith-Schuster aiming to be extra of a voice within the locker room?

“I lead by instance, with motion,” he stated. “I don’t say a complete lot, and if I do it’s uncommon. I’ll let to that to Ben and among the different guys.”

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.