One of the biggest questions going into the 2021 NFL season is if JuJu Smith-Schuster will be playing much of the slot position... Smith-Schuster has been very vocal during the offseason saying he would like to play outside more this year in Matt Canada's new offensive scheme. JuJu would like to show he can play as one of the top wide receivers on the outside this season which would make him more valuable on the market. This could ultimately get him a bigger 'bag' heading into the 2022 season.
Regardless if JuJu Smith-Schuster plays most of the outside at the start of the 2021 season the Steelers have been on the record saying they will place him where they feel he can contribute best on the Steelers offense. So if the outside does not work out for Smith-Schuster I would expect them to move him to the slot position regardless of what JuJu wants.
There is no doubt that JuJu Smith-Schuster is one of the best slot receivers in the NFL. Touchdown wire recently ranked their 11 best slot receivers in the NFL. JuJu Smith-Schuster came in fourth on their list. Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, and Tyler Lockett ranked better than JuJu Smith-Schuster, but there is no denying all three players' talent on the football field.
JuJu Smith-Schuster ended up catching 25 of 38 slot targets for 316 yards and two touchdowns during the 2020 season. That is not bad production considering the Steelers had Ben Roethlisberger throwing short passes all season long and Randy Fichtner was their offensive coordinator. I do expect the Steelers to still utilize JuJu in the slot during the 2021 season, but it will not be as much as you think at the beginning of the season.
I believe the Steelers will give JuJu Smith-Schuster his wish and allow him to play outside more. If it doesn't work out the organization MUST move him back into the slot position even if he does not want to play there because that is where JuJu Smith-Schuster plays his best football. After all, this could be Ben Roethlisberger's last season with the Steelers so I don't see a problem doing what is best for the Steelers in order for the team to get the win. The ultimate goal for 2021 is to win a Super Bowl.
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