USA Today via Reuters
Dec 13, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) walks off the field following the game against the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 13, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) walks off the field following the game against the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers made a strong start to the 2020 NFL season. The AFC North franchise made their way to 11 consecutive wins as veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returned to the starting line-up after missing the 2019 season with an elbow injury.
Rookie wideout Chase Claypool and the experienced JuJu Smith-Schuster were also impressive over the course of the regular season.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 27, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) and tight end Eric Ebron (85) and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) celebrate a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
But their strong campaign came to a screeching halt as they suffered a shock defeat to divisional rivals, Cleveland Browns, in the Wild Card Playoffs earlier this year. Smith-Schuster finished the campaign with 831 receiving yards and 9 receiving touchdowns.
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The USC man will enter free agency this summer. However, he still hopes the Steelers will offer him an extension so he can finish what he started with coach Tomlin’s outfit come 2021.
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JuJu Smith-Schuster wants to leave his legacy behind in Pittsburgh
Notable receiving yard totals for WRs before age-25 season:
Juju Smith-Schuster* 3,726
Tyreek Hill 3,255
Julio Jones 2,737
Stefon Diggs 2,472
Michael Thomas 2,382
Davante Adams 1,926*heading into free agency pic.twitter.com/MG0MP4tTBB
— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) February 17, 2021
In a recent interview with TMZ, Smith-Schuster revealed his ambition of staying in the City of Steel for the foreseeable future. “To be home close to family would be cool, but at the end of the day, I want to have my legacy in Pittsburgh and retire there. I don’t want to leave.
“I think he has something in the tank. One thing about Big Ben is that I have that chemistry with him, so for them to even let him go or to even think about it wouldn’t be the best.
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USA Today via Reuters
Oct 25, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin congratulates quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7), wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19), and wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) after the touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
“I would love to play with Ben. I always tell him give me four years, but obviously, he’s a lot older, so we’ll see how that goes,” he concluded.
Smith-Schuster has 3,726 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns from 46 starts for the Steelers. He has been a constant threat down the flanks over the last 3 years. But coach Tomlin understands that his team is undergoing a moment of transition.
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A big-money contract extension could be off the cards at the moment. Do you think the 24-year-old wide receiver will feature for the Steelers this season? Tell us in the comments section.
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