Although JuJu Smith-Schuster is moving on from the Pittsburgh Steelers and to the Kansas City Chiefs, he still has a place in his heart for the Steel City and his former teammates. After stopping in Pittsburgh, he had some very nice things to say about his former teammates in the wide receiver corps, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool.
According to Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Smith-Schuster said that he hops Johnson receives a big contract extension and said that Claypool will “ball out” this season:
“I hope one receiver gets paid out of the Steelers. I think the past five years they've drafted a receiver almost every year, but I hope someone gets paid. I hope it’s Diontae.”
He also believes one of the players he helped mentor, Chase Claypool, is going to have a “great year.” Claypool is “still growing, still learning,” Smith-Schuster acknowledged, but “I’m pretty sure he’s going to ball out.”
Johnson emerged as a Pro Bowler this past season, recording 1,161 receiving yards, 107 catches and eight touchdowns. He previously stayed away from the Steelers OTAs before deciding to come back despite his contract disputes with the team.
Claypool's name is mostly associated with his TikToks and fourth-quarter blunder against the Minnesota Vikings. Still, the 23-year-old has recorded at least 860 receiving yards in both of his first two seasons. The drama he creates is detrimental, but he should still be a decent WR2 next season.
The Steelers' passing game will have a new look after the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. It will be either Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett or Mason Rudolph throwing to Johnson and Claypool next season.
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