PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – For the last couple of seasons, he was where Ben Roethlisberger looked to convert third downs. Roethlisberger emotional when discussing the loss of JuJu Smith-Schuster for the season due to a shoulder injury.
"It's awful," Roethlisberger said Wednesday. "I will speak selfishly. I'm hurt because I miss that guy. What he brings to this team. His energy. His excitement. The leadership. It sucks, it really does."
Smith-Schuster said one of the reasons he signed back with the Steelers was because of Roethlisberger. JuJu had a career-high 111 catches in 2018 and 97 last season. Ben also has to realize the financial risk Smith-Schuster took with a one-year contract. Now his financial future is uncertain in recovering from injury.
"I spoke to him on Sunday night," Roethlisberger said. "I felt his pain through the phone, speaking to his mom as well. Sometimes things aren't fair and we don't know why they happen. A guy that has given so much. A guy that means so much to this team & to me specifically. It's not fair."
The old Tomlinism of 'the next man up' or 'one man's misfortune…'.
"It's a big opportunity for Ray-Ray (McCloud), for James (Washington), Cody's (White) going to get his shot," Roethlisberger said. "It seems like every week one of the guys have been down for something. Moving forward now without JuJu we are going to need everyone to be healthy, as much as they can be. I think James is excited for the opportunity. I think Ray-Ray is as well. We are going to have to utilize a lot of people."
Chase Claypool leads the team in receptions for first downs. He's a former tight end and has the size to move inside. Roethlisberger though prefers him to remain where he is.
"Playing the slot position in the NFL is different than playing outside," Roethlisberger said. "It's just a different animal. I think we have a lot of guys that can do it. It's a feel thing. You don't want to take away a big body outside that has special skills."
"I think you will see some more utilization of the tight end and running backs in there."
Najee Harris already has a 100-yard receiving game as Ben is obviously familiar with those throws. Another rookie could get a big opportunity here, the tight end selected right after Harris. Pat Freiermuth.
"I think he's doing a really good job," Roethlisberger said of Freiermuth, who has 11 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown. "I probably need to be better getting him involved more. I trust him. He's in the right spot. I think he had a couple of big third down catches last week."
"It's up to me to get him more involved. I need to start making a more conscious effort to do that."
The other starting tight end is approaching 4,000 career receiving yards. He has 32 career touchdowns, but only five receptions for 37 yards so far this season and they are playing him $6 million. Roethlisberger is aware Ebron's numbers are down.
"I don't think honestly, I don't think anyone on the skill side of the offense is having the season that we hoped for yet," Roethlisberger said. "Nobody's really had a huge game. Everyone is doing a good job of being patient, understanding that once the offense starts to click a little bit. Hopefully everyone will start to reap the rewards of that."
Some of the rewards for filling in for Smith-Schuster are with catches and touchdowns. It's also with blocks, hustle, attitude and leadership.
"JuJu is one of those guys that isn't afraid of contact," Roethlisberger said. "You got to be built for it too and he is. Always was a guy that was physical and set the tempo. Hopefully other guys will just carry that on."
