After a tremendous rookie campaign, second-year receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster wants to take his game to another level for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A second-round pick out of USC a year ago, the expectations for Juju Smith-Schuster were tepid. With Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant ahead of him on the depth chart, the rookie wasn’t likely to earn a ton of targets from Ben Roethlisberger.
However, the former Trojans star took advantage of both his talent and the opportunity presented him, resulting in the best rookie campaign of any receiver last season. Smith-Schuster caught 58 passes for 917 yards and eight touchdowns, becoming Pittsburgh’s perfect compliment to Brown.
Going into 2018, Smith-Schuster is hoping to take his game to another level, telling our Mark Carman that he wants to continue his ascent.
“During the season, I want to be able to be the guy for our team.”
This situation is reminiscent of what the Indianapolis Colts had a decade ago with Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. Harrison was the established star, consistently leading the league in receptions in yardage. Wayne, also a second-round selection, became Harrison’s running mate before ultimately taking over the mantle.
Turning 30 years old in July, Brown still has plenty of juice remaining in his Hall-of-Fame tank. Still, Smith-Schuster hopes to push him, a good thing for all parties involved.
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Away from the field, the youngster is working all the angles. This week, Smith-Schuster is working as the studio analyst for the Madden Bowl, which rewards the winner with $100,000. It’s a smart play by the Steelers wideout, who continues to put himself at the forefront of ventures.
“I’m trying to be my own CEO,” Smith-Schuster said.” Basically work all aspects of my life and the merchandise, off-the-field branding and all that.”
If he continues to dominate between the lines, the opportunities won’t stop rolling in.