Pittsburgh Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster could be one of the most sought after free agents at the end of the 2020 season.
Both the Steelers and Smith-Schuster are embroiled in the team’s 9-0 season right now so there have been no indications from anyone where JuJu will be playing next year.
As we look into our crystal ball, we come up with the following 5 potential homes for Smith-Schuster.
1. Pittsburgh
Steelers fans are breathing a sigh of relief as they read this.
Of course, JuJu could sign with his current team.
He is beloved within the organization and is having a great 2020.
Smith-Schuster has 54 receptions for 516 yards which averages out to an impressive 9.6 yards per carry.
He also has caught 5 TD passes.
Most TDs from the slot:
💥 Keenan Allen -5
💥 JuJu Smith-Schuster – 5
💥 Davante Adams – 5 pic.twitter.com/nRXCFalz2T— PFF (@PFF) November 21, 2020
JuJu is a great teammate and has worked well with rising rookie WR Chase Claypool.
Why fix what isn’t broken?
JuJu Smith-Schuster on third/fourth down this season.
– 23 receptions (1st in NFL)
– 17 first downs (2nd in NFL)
– 82.1% catch rate (6th in NFL – min 10 receptions)
– 3 TD (Tied 3rd in NFL)Few guys coming up bigger in clutch moments than JuJu. #Steelers
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) November 19, 2020
Coach Tomlin recently praised Smith-Schuster:
“I think that football is the ultimate team game, and JuJu is a quality example of that”.
2. Indianapolis Colts
Colts WR T.Y. Hilton is on the final year of his contract.
Hilton is healthy this season, but he has not produced the numbers and excitement many expected when the Colts signed Philip Rivers as the QB.
T.Y. Hilton is 31 years old, and Smith-Schuster is 23.
The Colts QB situation will also be in flux for 2021 as Rivers is only signed for 2020.
JuJu Smith-Schuster could inject some much needed excitement to the WR room in Indianapolis regardless of who the starting QB ends up being in 2021.
3. New England Patriots
Along the lines of T.Y. Hilton, the New England Patriots have a legendary veteran in Julian Edelman who has dealt with injuries and has not played up to expectation in 2020.
The Patriots can get out of Edelman’s contract before the 2021 season.
Like the Colts, the Patriots may have a QB situation also as Cam Newton is only signed for 2020.
At 34 it is likely that Edelman’s best days are behind him so JuJu Smith-Schuster could certainly be on Bill Belichick’s radar in 2021.
4. New York Giants
Rookie head coach Joe Judge has a promising young QB in Daniel Jones, and he should get RB Saquon Barkley back from his torn ACL in 2021.
WR Darius Slayton has emerged as a talent to build around.
But given all the off-the-field issues with Golden Tate, his declining productivity, and an opportunity to get out of the contract with him in 2021, it feels like JuJu Smith-Schuster could make an immediate impact on this young team.
5. Miami Dolphins
Wouldn’t it be fun to see the Tua and JuJu show?
The Dolphins apparently have $37.6 million in cap space and a definite need for a WR to help the 26nd ranked passing offense.
While it’s really fun to consider all the possibilities, it seems more likely than not that the Steelers will re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster.
He was a stabilizing force in the midst of the Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell personnel issues that plagued the Steelers a few years ago so the Steelers should want to keep him around.
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