Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has made it clear this offseason that he wants Antonio Brown with the team next season, but if he isn't, Smith-Schuster is ready to be the number one receiver. Even with Brown Smith Schuster was more the 1A receiver with the Steelers this past season finishing with 111 catches for 1,426 yards, and seven touchdowns.
“It's a responsibility every receiver loves to have,” Smith-Schuster said about the possibility after Wednesday's Pro Bowl practice via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
Even with Smith-Schuster's success, it would be interesting to see how well he would do without Brown lining up on the other side. Teams put an extra emphasis on Brown which opened up a lot of the field for Smith-Schuster.
If Smith-Schuster were to become the number one receiver he would be the guy receiving double teams and his life on the outside would get a lot harder.
Article Continues Below“Those defenses would change versus me [in that case],” Smith-Schuster said. “Obviously somebody else would have to step up.”
It would also mean that others receivers like James Washington would need to step up and take on a bigger role in the offense.
Smith-Schuster said he has reached out to Brown and hasn't heard back but that isn't something he is too concerned about because a lot of players are taking players at this point and he is sure he will hear back soon. This is a story that will play itself out over the spring and summer but whatever ends up happening, Smith-Schuster is ready.