Chase Claypool breaks silence on JuJu Smith-Schuster returning to Steelers
The 2020 second-round pick had an impressive debut campaign for the Steelers. And he spoke on numerous topics, including one of his fellow wide receivers.
An 11-0 start by Mike Tomlin’s club in 2020 would eventually go horribly wrong. The Pittsburgh Steelers prevailed just once in their final six overall outings and were humbled at home by Cleveland in the wild card round. The AFC North champions saw the Browns roll, 48-37, and win a game in the Steel City for the first time since 2003.
Things figure to be much different this fall. The franchise used a first-round pick on a running back since 2008 in the form of University of Alabama standout Najee Harris. Along with better offensive line play and a new approach via offensive coordinator Matt Canada, the Steelers look to dramatically improve the league’s worst running game in 2020.
That doesn’t mean that the passing attack will suffer too much. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has quite the talented contingent to throw to. The franchise has been very successful finding quality wide receivers throughout the years.
Chase Claypool is very happy to see JuJu Smith-Schuster back with the Steelers
The current list includes Diontae Johnson, James Washington and former second-round picks Juju Smith-Schuster (2017) and Chase Claypool (2020). And the latter standout (via Teresa Varley of Steelers.com) – who led the club with 11 total touchdowns – spoke about the return of Schuster.
"I think a lot of people were expecting him not to come back, not because he didn’t want to but because of the cap space situation. We all knew he really wanted to come back, we just didn’t know if it was possible. When he came back, I was excited because not only is he a good friend, but a good player, a good teammate too. He does a lot for us. Always good to have a guy like that in the building."
The four-year pro inked a one-year, $8 million deal to rejoin the Steelers (via Spotrac). He comes off a year in which he led the club with 97 catches, good for 831 yards and nine scores. More balance would make the Pittsburgh offense much more dangerous this season. And Tomlin’s club has a tall order in holding off both the Browns and Ravens in the AFC North this year.
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Both Smith-Schuster and Claypool each led the club with nine touchdown receptions a year ago. The former got the tough yards and made life easier for the wideouts. It could be a very interesting year in Pittsburgh for any number of reasons.