Category: JuJu Smith-Schuster

Signing WR JuJu Smith-Schuster should be no-brainer for Steelers if Patriots cut him

If the Patriots release JuJu Smith-Schuster, the Steelers should bring him back.

There is a rumor circulating on social media that the New England Patriots might choose to part ways with veteran and former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Anytime a former Steeler is either on the market or could be on the market, the fan base gets fired up about a reunion. In most cases, it’s all smoke but no fire and the addition isn’t as significant as most want to believe.

But Smith-Schuster might be different. The Steelers are in desperate need of a No. 2 wide receiver, and Smith-Schuster has proved his worth in that role.

Smith-Schuster spent his first five seasons with the Steelers and was far and away the most successful in Pittsburgh. In 2018, Smith-Schuster hauled in 111 passes and then in 2020 had 97 receptions.

With new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith implementing his system, having receivers who are fearless as a run blocker is a must. One of the things Smith-Schuster has always been known for is his willingness to do the dirty work in the run game.

Should he end up on the market, signing Smith-Schuster makes perfect sense. The Steelers have plenty of money to spend, and the 27-year-old receiver needs to come back home.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers brace for impact of JuJu Smith-Schuster’s absense

It’ll take a village to fill the void of one and more than just a few days of preparation for Seattle.

The Pittsburgh Steelers look to make it two wins in a row tonight when they welcome the Seattle Seahawks to Heinz Field. Unfortunately, they’ll have to do it without JuJu Smith-Schuster, who was put on injured reserve yesterday.

The Steelers will be hard-pressed to compensate for the loss of Smith-Schuster. Beyond being a target for Ben Roethlisberger, there are several aspects of Smith-Schuster’s game — the ability to get open in critical short-yardage downs, navigate in the slot position, and blocking — that Pittsburgh will need to make up for.

“We’re not going to replace (Smith-Schuster) at all. What he brings to our team and the intangibles he has,” said Matt Canada (per TribLive’s Tim Benz). “As far as his catches and those things, we’ll spread those throughout personnel sets, throughout game plans over the course of the season. We’ll just see how that goes.”

It’ll take a village to fill the void of one and more than just a few days of preparation for Seattle. But the Steelers will have to if they hope to keep the offense on track — something they were just starting to do in their Week 5 victory over the Broncos.

Roethlisberger hinted that the remedy might come via tight ends and running backs.

“Playing the slot position in the NFL is different than playing outside. It’s just a different animal,” Roethlisberger said on Wednesday. “I think we have a lot of guys that can do it, but it’s a feel thing. You don’t want to take a big body outside (Claypool) that’s got special skills (to move him inside). I think you’ll see probably some more utilization of the tight ends and running backs in there.”

JuJu Smith-Schuster logged 3,855 yards and 27 total touchdowns in his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

[vertical-gallery id=500854]

[lawrence-related id=500903]

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster officially sent to IR

The invetiable has happened — the Steelers officially placed JuJu Smith-Schuster on season-long injured reserve.

It’s officially offical. The inevitable news that Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster would be sent to injured reserve has happened.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said in his press conference this week that his star receiver would be placed on the long-term injured reserve list — it was only a matter of when.

[vertical-gallery id=500698]

[listicle id=500836]

JuJu Smith Schuster: Raiders won’t just ‘roll over and lay down’

Though Vegas is the underdog coming into Heinz Field, JuJu Smith-Schuster isn’t underestimating them and knows the Steelers must give their all.

Today marks just the second time the Steelers and Raiders have gone head-to-head since JuJu Smith-Schuster was drafted in 2017. In his sophomore season, Smith-Schuster only needed eight receptions to show the Raiders what he’s about. He balled out versus the Silver and Black with 130 yards and two touchdowns.

Though the Raiders are the underdog coming into Heinz Field, Smith-Schuster isn’t underestimating them and knows the Steelers must give their all.

“You can tell the Raiders aren’t quitting. They’re not just going to roll over and lay down,” Smith-Schuster told Steelers Wire in an exclusive interview. “We’re going to have to bring our A-game.”

Smith-Schuster said he tuned in for the Raiders Week 1 win over the Baltimore Ravens and was impressed with the fight Las Vegas put up.

“What they did with Lamar Jackson; great contain. The team fought the whole time into overtime and finished off strong.”

Expect that aggressiveness to continue. The Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-3 versus the Raiders since 2012. Something will need to change so that they aren’t 1-4 after today.

[vertical-gallery id=497555]

[listicle id=497610]

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster’s maturity questioned by HC Mike Tomlin

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin is clearly displeased with the latest TikTok antics of his wide receiver.

The latest off-field antics of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster were the buzz across social media on Monday, so, of course, the topic was broached in head coach Mike Tomlin’s press conference.

When a reporter asked if he has a message for players that participate in potentially dangerous activities via social media, a clearly miffed Mike Tomlin replied (per the Tribune’s Chris Adamski), “I don’t spend a lot of time focused on those things. If you’re talking about those things and not football, you’re setting yourself up for failure.”

“We’re singularly professionally focused on what it is that we have to do, and guys [players] have individual responsibilities as adults.”

Video surfaced of Smith-Schuster participating in the Milk Crate Challenge, the latest viral challenge craze to hit TikTok.

It seems if it’s not one thing, it’s another with JuJu Smith-Schuster’s infatuation with social media self-promotion. It’s a selfish act that reflects poorly on his teamsmanship. The Steelers are rightfully focused on football with the goal of being the best in the league when the 2021 season is all said and done. When the regular season starts, Smith-Schuster better produce or it’s certain he’ll be another team’s headache next season.

[vertical-gallery id=495097]

[listicle id=495129]

JuJu Smith-Schuster’s loyalty to Ben Roethlisberger kept him in Pittsburgh

Just five seasons into his career, Roethlisberger is the only quarterback Smith-Schuster has ever played with.

It was revealed this spring that JuJu Smith-Schuster could’ve joined the vaunted Kansas City Chiefs via free agency.

In a press conference with media on Wednesday, Smith-Schuster said one of the deciding factors on staying with the Black and Gold is his loyalty to Ben Roethlisberger.

“Patrick Mahomes is a great QB, and he will be for the next decade, but I think it’s a loyalty to my coaches and my quarterback,” Smith-Schuster said.

With Big Ben at the helm, Smith-Schuster has registered 3,282 yards and 23 touchdowns. Just five seasons into his career, Roethlisberger is the only quarterback he’s ever played with.

“I’m looking at the bigger picture, going into next year. I already knew if I went to the Ravens, fans would’ve destroyed me,” said Smith-Schuster. “Going to the Chiefs, they have a great offense, playing with Tyreek [Hill] and Travis [Kelce], but I’ve got to do what’s best for me. That’s staying home.”

[vertical-gallery id=490596]

[lawrence-related id=490679]

JuJu Smith-Schuster’s loyalty to Ben Roethlisberger kept him in Pittsburgh

Just five seasons into his career, Roethlisberger is the only quarterback Smith-Schuster has ever played with.

It was revealed this spring that JuJu Smith-Schuster could’ve joined the vaunted Kansas City Chiefs via free agency.

In a press conference with media on Wednesday, Smith-Schuster said one of the deciding factors on staying with the Black and Gold is his loyalty to Ben Roethlisberger.

“Patrick Mahomes is a great QB, and he will be for the next decade, but I think it’s a loyalty to my coaches and my quarterback,” Smith-Schuster said.

With Big Ben at the helm, Smith-Schuster has registered 3,282 yards and 23 touchdowns. Just five seasons into his career, Roethlisberger is the only quarterback he’s ever played with.

“I’m looking at the bigger picture, going into next year. I already knew if I went to the Ravens, fans would’ve destroyed me,” said Smith-Schuster. “Going to the Chiefs, they have a great offense, playing with Tyreek [Hill] and Travis [Kelce], but I’ve got to do what’s best for me. That’s staying home.”

[vertical-gallery id=490596]

[lawrence-related id=490679]

JuJu Smith-Schuster: ‘Fans would destroy me’ if I went to Ravens

JuJu Smith-Schuster had fans in mind when he decided to stay with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

After the Steelers signed JuJu Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal in March, the receiver revealed he had suitors in both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens.

Not only were Kansas City and Baltimore interested in signing the receiver, but he claimed their offers were better than the $8 million contract offer from Pittsburgh.

In a press conference with the media on Wednesday, Smith-Schuster said he was looking at the “bigger picture” when he decided to stay put in Pittsburgh.

“… I already knew if I went to the Ravens, fans would destroy me from the inside and out,” Smith-Schuster said.

One would have to think that the bulk of Smith-Schuster’s current fan base consists of Steelers fans. And unlike some athletes, JuJu cares about how fans perceive him since he earns money as a social media influencer.

It’s possible that if Smith-Schuster had gone to Baltimore via free agency, he would’ve had to rebuild his fan base from scratch. Even though football is first and foremost a business, there are very few Steelers fans who would forgive such a massive betrayal.

[vertical-gallery id=481968]

[listicle id=490022]

The Pittsburgh Steelers select John Smith, wide receiver, USC

The Steelers wide receiver tells the story of how he went from John Smith to JuJu Smith-Schuster.

With the 62nd pick in the 2017 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select John Smith, wide receiver, USC.

That’s how Franco Harris would’ve announced the pick if it weren’t for JuJu Smith-Schuster’s aunt.

Not many people know that Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was born John Smith.

“Growing up, I had an auntie who called me ‘choo-choo’ because I used to play with trains all the time,” Smith-Schuster explained on The Michael Irvin Podcast. “It kinda turned into JuJu.”

“So people called me JuJu, my teachers, my professors. Some people, my fans, don’t even know my real name.”

Smith-Schuster said when people find out his real name is John Smith, they say, “No way!”

“In tests, like in the ACT and SATs, they use John Smith as an answer option,” he said, laughing.

Smith-Schuster hyphenated his name when he turned 18 to honor his stepfather, Lawrence Schuster, who was a father figure in a way his biological father was not.

It’s hard to imagine now watching No. 19 in games and hearing announcers saying, “What an amazing catch by John Smith!!”

[vertical-gallery id=473583]

[listicle id=488836]

JuJu Smith-Schuster: Steelers would be ‘ridiculous, amazing’ if Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell were still in Pittsburgh

Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster realizes just how special Pittsburgh would be if he could turn back time.

Once upon a time, 2017 and 2018 to be exact, Antonio Brown was like a big brother to the fresh-faced rookie JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Smith-Schuster came into the league at 20-years-old and had the NFL world in front of him. Brown took Smith-Schuster under his wing and showed him the ropes.

But these days? Brown and Smith-Schuster’s relationship is non-existent.

Recently a guest on the Michael Irvin Podcast, Smith-Schuster shared that, if he could reach out, he would, but Brown has made it difficult.

[lawrence-related id=458603]

“[Antonio’s] blocked me on all social media from Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, my phone number. And we just live our lives,” said Smith-Schuster.

That doesn’t keep Smith-Schuster from being an adult about the situation.

“I wish nothing but the best for him… for him to go out there and win a Super Bowl; congrats to him and, he keeps doing it,” he said.

“I think he’s one of the best to ever do it. If he didn’t have the [falling out with the Steelers], I think our team would be ridiculous, amazing. With him, Le’Veon.”

A man can dream, right?

[vertical-gallery id=473583]

[listicle id=488473]