Over the past decade, the Pittsburgh Steelers have hit the jackpot when selecting receivers throughout the NFL Draft. Both in the early and later rounds, the Steelers have successfully found answers to help bolster their receiving core. Over the last couple of offseasons, the Steelers drafted George Pickens and Calvin Austin III, who have both played significant roles in the Steelers offense in 2023.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens hauling what would be the game-winning touchdown reception during the Steelers' Week 5 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Having so much success at finding receivers in the draft has given the Steelers the ability to let certain players leave via free agency and test the waters elsewhere. JuJu Smith-Schuster is the biggest name the Steelers have let go in recent years, and since leaving, Smith-Schuster has yet to post numbers like he did in Pittsburgh.
Last year, Smith-Schuster was a part of one of the league's top offenses with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs who went on to win the Super Bowl. He finished the season with 78 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdowns. Smith-Schuster was well on his way to getting that mega contract that he was looking for in Pittsburgh, but growing concerns with his knee steered many teams away from him as an option in free agency.
Smith-Schuster only played one season in Kansas City before departing for the northeast to play for legendary coach, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Due to the concern surrounding his knee, the Patriots were able to sign Smith-Schuster to a team-friendly three-year $25 million dollar contract this past offseason.
At the time of the signing, the Patriots were hoping they got a steal in the free agent market, especially considering the booming wide receiver market throughout the NFL. Unfortunately for the Patriots, it has been far from smooth sailing so far with Smith-Schuster.
Through the first five weeks of the 2023 season, Smith-Schuster has started three games and has only been able to muster up 14 receptions for 86 yards and has yet to score a touchdown. In the yardage category, Smith-Schuster finds himself fourth when compared to the other receivers on the depth chart and certainly looks far from the number one receiver they hoped they were getting.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) and Antonio Brown (84).
The Steelers Provided Smith-Schuster With A Superior Supporting Cast
During Smith-Schuster's first two seasons in Pittsburgh, he quickly became one of the most feared receivers in the AFC. To go along with his incredible talent, he was surrounded by a supporting cast that helped propel his production early on in his career. Smith-Schuster was accompanied by future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le'Veon Bell (2017 only), and Antonio Brown.
In 2022, Smith-Schuster had an impressive season with the Chiefs and became a key piece in their Super Bowl run. Getting to play for a head coach like Andy Reid, whose offense is seemingly always at the top of the NFL, and getting to work with a quarterback as talented as Mahomes, it was inevitable that Smith-Schuster was going to see an increase in productivity last season.
Kansas City Chiefs
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout, JuJu Smith-Schuster somewhat revived his career with the Chiefs in 2022, as he had the second-best season in his career.
However, that is not the case in 2023 with the Patriots. The quarterback play Smith-Schuster has now in New England with Mac Jones is significantly subpar compared to what he was given with the Chiefs and Steelers. The Patriots offense as a whole has struggled so far in 2023 and find themselves dead last in the NFL with only averaging 11 points per game.
During the Patriots' Week 5 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, Smith-Schuster left the game due to a concussion that will likely sideline him for the team's Week 6 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. So far, the Patriots' experiment with Smith-Schuster has been a bust and they don't have the same receiver that was once one of the most electric in the league.
What do you think? Did the Steelers get the best from Smith-Schuster? Or is his lingering knee injury and lack of talent surrounding him with the Patriots the key reason for his lack of success in 2023? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!
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