Steelers: 3 potential replacements for WR JuJu Smith Schuster
By Tommy Jaggi
The Pittsburgh Steelers recently lost JuJu Smith-Schuster to the Chiefs in free agency, but here are three players who could potentially replace him in 2022.
Many Steelers fans were disheartened to see one of their favorite players sign elsewhere in free agency this offseason. After testing the free agency waters, JuJu Smith-Schuster is now officially a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.
JuJu was a Pro Bowler back in 2018 after an impressive 1,400-yard season with a younger Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown playing opposite of him. However, these past three seasons have been rather disappointing from an efficiency standpoint.
With JuJu, James Washington, and Ray-Ray McCloud each on new teams, wide receiver suddenly becomes a big need for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here are three players that could be in the mix as candidates to fill his role at slot receiver in 2022:
Steelers could sign Jarvis Landry
It seems a bit underwhelming going from a 25-year-old JuJu Smith-Schuster to a nearly 30-year-old Jarvis Landry — especially when you consider that Landry’s play hasn’t been spectacular each of the past two years. Still, it’s easy to see how the former Browns receiver would fit in this offense.
Diontae Johnson is Pittsburgh’s ‘X’ receiver and Chase Claypool is projected to once again man the role of the ‘Z’ receiver for the Steelers. This means that the slot role — previously occupied by the combination of JuJu and McCloud — is completely vacant.
Landry doesn’t offer much after the catch, and he was a below-average athlete coming into the league. However, like JuJu, he’s incredibly tough at the catch point, and I think he’s a better route runner. He’s not a long-term fix, but if the price is right, the Steelers could get a reliable safety valve in Jarvis Landry via free agency.