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JuJu Smith-Schuster has not been shy in relation to discussing his first foray into free company. Regardless of receiving barely extra profitable provides from the Chiefs and Ravens, the veteran receiver determined to return to the Steelers on a one-year, $8 million contract. The previous Professional Bowler is hoping {that a} large season in 2021 can result in a profitable four-year contract when he enters free company as soon as once more in 2022.
As an alternative of attempting to develop chemistry with Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes, Smith-Schuster determined to proceed to sharpen his already robust rapport with Ben Roethlisberger, who additionally selected to return for what may very well be his last season in Pittsburgh. Smith-Schuster is hoping {that a} slight place change will result in extra manufacturing, as he anticipates enjoying extra on the skin this season after most of his receptions in 2020 got here within the slot.
“With the ability to play exterior is including extra to your craft,” Smith-Schuster said on Wednesday, by way of Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Overview. “It is having one other menace participant on the opposite facet with Ben. I feel we have now gamers that may play all the best way across the offense. We have now so many threats.”
Smith-Schuster’s finest statistical season got here in 2018, his second season in Pittsburgh. That season, Smith-Schuster led the Steelers with 111 receptions for 1,426 yards whereas scoring seven touchdowns. The group MVP that season, Smith-Schuster benefitted by enjoying alongside Antonio Brown, whose presence demanded appreciable consideration from opposing defenses.
With Brown’s departure, Smith-Schuster grew to become the Steelers’ No. 1 receiver in 2019. With out Brown and with Roethlisberger out for a lot of the season with an harm, Smith-Schuster set profession lows with 42 receptions for 552 yards and three touchdowns. With Roethlisberger again in 2020, Smith-Schuster caught 97 passes however posted a career-low 8.6 yards per reception. His underwhelming manufacturing, together with the NFL‘s decreased wage cap, undoubtedly hindered Smith-Schuster’s worth on the open market.
It is laborious to mission Smith-Schuster’s manufacturing for 2021. The Steelers usually are not anticipated to throw as a lot as they did in 2021, as group president Artwork Rooney II has confused the necessity to enhance what was the league’s thirty second ranked dashing assault in 2020. When the Steelers do throw, Roethlisberger could have a number of choices that features Smith-Schuster, fellow receivers Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and James Washington, and tight ends Eric Ebron and rookie Pat Freiermuth. The chemistry and belief that Smith-Schuster has constructed with Roethlisberger over time ought to lead to Smith-Schuster getting a wholesome variety of targets on a weekly foundation.
“Is there a man within the NFL that on third and short-to-medium you need the ball in his palms as a lot as JuJu? I am unable to consider one,” Roethlisberger recently said. “The fervour that he offers to this metropolis and to this group to assist us win is superior.”
Smith-Schuster shall be in Pittsburgh in 2021, a incontrovertible fact that was something however assured in the beginning of the offseason. However it may be difficult for the Steelers to signal the nonetheless simply 24-year-old to a longterm deal in 2022. Claypool, the group’s Rookie of the 12 months in 2020, is unquestionably in Pittsburgh’s longterm plans. One may say the identical factor about Johnson, a third-year veteran who led the Steelers in receiving final season. Pittsburgh additionally has get monetary savings for defensive stars TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
The potential of not being in Pittsburgh subsequent 12 months is not misplaced in Smith-Schuster, who shortly grew to become a favourite throughout his memorable 2017 rookie marketing campaign. He’s staying optimistic that 2021 won’t be his final as a member of the black and gold.
“I feel to come back again for one more 4 extra years and have 9 years as a Steeler can be great and noteworthy,” Smith-Schuster mentioned. “It could be unprecedented from a receiver standpoint. Do not get me flawed, Pittsburgh is unquestionably an choice on the desk. I do know they’re one of many groups which have essentially the most cap. Lots of people are going to wish to get a deal. It’s important to play your butt off since you by no means know what will occur.”
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