4 Steelers that could use a new home in the new year

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Out of everyone on this list, JuJu Smith-Schuster has had the most success while in a Steelers uniform. That said, last year questions emerged about his talent after he flopped without Antonio Brown taking looks from the defense. While a lot of his struggles were due to injuries to both himself and the offense as a whole, 2020 was going to be a big year in regaining the hype he had before. While he hasn’t been bad, his role with the team has really limited his upside.

While Smith-Schuster was never an athletic marvel, he did win deep on occasion and had the burst to make big plays in the intermediate part of the field. This year though, the Steelers began using him like solely a check down option, having him run extremely short routes to make the catch. That explains why his yards per reception is a paltry 8.4 – a number that is normally seen by good pass-catching running backs.

Though Smith-Schuster has shown a love for the Steelers, he has to realize he isn’t being used properly. While serving as a top check down option is fine, the fact that he hasn’t been utilized much past five yards down the field has hurt this talented receiver’s value. Throw in the robust market receivers have and the cap struggles that the team will be facing, and it seems like a longshot that Smith-Schuster remains past this season. He would be a benefactor in a scheme that better utilizes his skills, and the Steelers aren’t doing that right now.

While the Steelers will move on from a wide variety of personal this offseason, these four above could all find better use in a new home. It will be an offseason of change for this team, as the Steelers will have to make some difficult decisions with talented players. With the new year upon us, there will be a handful of former Steelers players looking for a new home and a new fit in 2021.