JuJu Smith-Schuster returned to the Steelers on what was essentially a one-year deal for $8 million was because he knows the offense, the quarterback and those around him. He also knows he has a fan base that largely loves him -- and that matters to Smith-Schuster's off-field brand, as well.
But he also knows 2020 was not ideal. Smith-Schuster led the Steelers with 97 receptions and tied for the team lead with nine touchdown catches last season. That's the good. The bad? He averaged just 8.3 yards per catch while playing the majority of his snaps in the slot.
He has steadily seen his slot snaps increase in each of his four seasons, from 58 percent of the time in 2017 to 84.9 percent in 2020.
“Playing more outside,” Smith-Schuster said when asked how he wanted to improve his game in 2021. “It’s as simple as that.”
Is it?
When asked who could pick up some of those slot snaps, Smith-Schuster named Ray-Ray McCloud as the team's next best option while also noting that others can also play inside based on formations and shifts.
This is the same McCloud who has 25 career receptions for 117 yards, an average of 4.5 yards per catch. That includes 20 receptions for 77 yards in 2020.
If that's the No. 2 option in the slot, Smith-Schuster is going to be in for a disappointing season.
Here's the thing, Eric Ebron can line up in the slot. Anthony McFarland or Najee Harris can be there, as well, depending on the formation.
But under no circumstances should the Steelers take Dionate Johnson or Chase Claypool off the field to insert McCloud to get Smith-Schuster more playing time on the outside. That's just not what's best for the team.
Johnson had a success rate in the 86th percentile when working against press-man coverage last season. He's really good at beating cornerbacks off the line of scrimmage. Claypool's success rate as a rookie was in the 80th percentile. And there's a great expectation that the 6-foot-4, 238-pound receiver will get better in his second season.
One of the reasons you put a wide receiver in the slot is to keep him from facing press coverage. Johnson and Claypool don't struggle with press coverage. But Smith-Schuster does because he's not a particularly explosive athlete.
Reliable? Yes. Combative? Absolutely. Explosive? Not so much.
The Steelers can do some things to create some mismatches for Smith-Schuster. And they can certainly target him more downfield.
In 2019, for example, his ADOT (Average Depth of Target) was 9.8 yards per play despite playing most of the year with Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges at quarterback and seeing 66.3 percent of his snaps from the slot. Last season, it was 6.0 yards.
So, get Smith-Schuster the ball more down the field. Incorporate him into the passing game in more creative ways.
But under no circumstances should he simply play on the outside just to improve his average per catch. Johnson and Claypool have to play. James Washington deserves playing time, as well.
If the Steelers want to get those guys some good matchups by playing them in the slot at times, so be it. McCloud? No thanks.
Getting your best talent on the field should be the goal, not placating Smith-Schuster's desire to play more on the outside. That is driven by his desire to better cash in as a free agent next year after failing to do so as he would have liked this time around.
YOUR TURN: How would you handle Smith-Schuster's desire to play more on the outside?