PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Going into the final year of his contract, Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster knows eyes are on him.
"Coming into this season, I kind of have a chip on my shoulder that I need to prove himself," Smith-Schuster said Wednesday.
JuJu burst on the scene as a rookie with 58 receptions for 917 yards, 11.6 yards per target with 7 touchdowns. In his second year, he matched the touchdown receptions and his career-long of 97 yards for a score, but caught 111 passes for 1,426 yards and was selected to the Pro Bowl.
Without Antonio Brown in 2019, there were high expectations for the then 22- year-old from USC and partly because of injury, partly because of inconsistent quarterback play, Smith-Schuster dripped to career lows in everything, including playing only 12 games.
That left him without a new contract as the Steelers will wait until after this season to determine his future with the team.
So Monday night was a big deal for not only Ben Roethlisberger's return, but how JuJu would answer to last year.
Six catches for 69 yards and a pair of touchdowns and maybe a bigger play late in the third quarter. Steelers at the time were up six on the Giants as Benny Snell broke free over the right side, but fumbled into a pile of blue shirts. Smith-Schuster dove into that pile and despite being the only one in white, came up with the football.
"Coach (Tomlin) showed it today," Roethlisberger said. "I believe there were 9 Giants in that pile and JuJu dove in there and came up with it."
"As a team guy he's motivated to help this team win football games. You saw a guy who was blocking, that made the tough catches, that dove into a pile."
"How many guys that are looking for a contract and trying to get paid would dive into a pile and risk their body and injury to recover a fumble that wasn't his? To me that shows what kind of a team guy he is."
JuJu said those comments meant a lot to him.
"I don't ever think about not jumping in there and getting the ball," Smith-Schuster said. "I want to win. Any possible way, contract year or not contract year, I want my team to win. I want to win a world championship. I'm showing the type of player I am."
JuJu is also trying to do something else with Ben, he and the young receivers are attempting to get Ben to help them make a viral video.
"Hopefully I can get a TikTok one day, maybe I can get him to dance," Smith-Schuster said. "One celebration I want to do with him is called the 'Trust Fall'. Hopefully when we are up by 50 or something like that we will be able to do one."
Until then, Smith-Schuster is content to build on his relationship with the 17-year veteran and attempt to add rings to his fingers knowing Roethlisberger has two.
"He's accomplished everything I've dreamed of," Smith-Schuster said. "I don't know how long I have with him, but I will make every game, every moment, special."
