PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It's been an amazing ride for JuJu Smith-Schuster as a Steeler. The second-round pick from USC arrived at the UPMC Rooney facility riding a bike. He would learn under Antonio Brown, help create a name for himself because of AB. Then, like most others, get ripped by Brown on his way out the door.
JuJu burst on the scene as defenses tried to deal with Brown's NFL leading 1,533 yards in 2017, Smith-Schuster able to average 15.8 yards a catch and 917 total yards as a rookie. JuJu ended up with more receptions than AB his second year (111 to 104), but Brown had a league-leading 15 touchdowns to JuJu's 7.
When Brown left, or was shown the door, at the end of the 2018 season, Smith-Schuster became the man. He bought himself a shiny sportscar and tried to follow up AB's amazing play on the field.
Missing four games due to injury, Smith-Schuster caught only 42 passes for a 13.1 yards a game average. The next year Ben Roethlisberger was hurt early and while catching 97 passes, nine for touchdowns, Smith-Schuster only averaged 8.6 yards a catch. Limited to only five games in 2021, JuJu averaged the same 8.6 yards a reception.
The 25-year-old signed back to a one-year contract for $8 million in 2021 in a bit of surprise. Smith-Schuster hoping to have a big final season with Ben Roethlisberger and turn it into more money as the salary cap was down due to the pandemic.
WHY SIGN HIM
· JuJu just turned 25-years-old
· Three times in his career had over 830 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in a season
· Is a punishing blocker who gives 100% during game action
· After the injury happened, he remained with his teammates during almost all of his rehabilitation
WHY NOT
· While in a more dink-and-dunk offense recently, the yards per catch numbers recently are alarming
· There is a potential for off-field distractions
· He wants WR1 numbers, but his production is more of a WR2 and that role is already filled by Pro Bowler Diontae Johnson.
COST
Due to the shoulder injury, likely would play for another prove-it contract around $8 million. It's affordable, but would JuJu be interested with an unknown currently at quarterback.
Would love to stay
