When the news of former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster signing with the New England Patriots broke, there were questions by fans of both organizations about whether or not he would be fit for the rigid structure that comes along with playing for Patriots' Head Coach, Bill Belichick. Smith-Schuster is widely known across the NFL as one of the most flamboyant players in the entire league. One person who could answer this question better than most is his former quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger.
During a recent episode on Roethlisberger's podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, he discussed how he feels Smith-Schuster will fare during his time in New England.
JuJu is a very fun-loving guy. He's gotten to play for two head coaches in Andy Reid and Mike Tomlin that are very relaxed and laid back. I don't know if the coach that he's playing for now allows as much fun," Roethlisberger said.
Roethlisberger went on to add that it will be interesting to see what Smith-Schuster has to do in order to "dial it back" a bit and gain the respect of both coaches and teammates. However, he reiterated his confidence in his former wide receiver and mentioned how selfless Smith-Schuster is and committed to doing whatever is in the best interest of the team.
He is going to give it all he has. He will give his heart and soul. The guys will like that, the coaches will like that. He's also grown up a little bit, maybe he won't be too crazy."
Will The Former Steelers Star Be Able To Succeed In New England?
There have been numerous free agents who have signed with the Patriots that were not able to adopt "The Patriot Way," meaning that players are expected to maintain professionalism in all aspects of their football and social life. In 2019, there just so happened to be another former Steelers' wide receiver who signed with the Patriots, Antonio Brown. Brown signed a one-year, $15 million contract with New England and was subsequently released less than two weeks later.
JuJu Smith-Schuster is at a completely different point in his career than Brown was in 2019. Although, it does beg the question of whether history will repeat itself in terms of both players not being able to fully commit themselves to all that comes with playing for Belichick. On the other hand, it is completely possible that Smith-Schuster will thrive in New England. The Patriots have always done well with highlighting their slot receivers, which is where Smith-Schuster thrives. His three-year, $33 million deal serves as an indication that the team is fully expecting him to be one of their premier playmakers on offense in 2023.
Smith-Schuster is coming off a solid year with the Kansas City Chiefs, grabbing 78 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdowns. He was well-liked in the Chiefs' locker room and quickly became a favorite target for superstar quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. Off the field, Smith-Schuster remained active on various social media sites such as Twitter, Instagram, and most notably Tik Tok. He recently was the subject of great controversy after he posted the following tweet following the Chiefs defeating the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. The post is referring to the holding penalty called on Eagles' cornerback, James Bradberry during the Super Bowl that ultimately decided the game in favor of Kansas City.
Opportunity For Growth
At 26 years old, Smith-Schuster is entering a crucial part of his career where he can firmly establish himself as a top receiver in the NFL or quickly become a player who bounces around from team to team every few years. If he can adapt to the "The Patriot Way" and fully commit himself to become a threat in the New England offense, there is reason to believe he made a tremendous decision by joining the Patriots. Painful music to the ears of Steelers fans. Many hoped a reunion between Smith-Schuster and the Steelers would be possible this offseason. Instead, quite the opposite happened.
Only time will tell whether or not Smith-Schuster's time in New England will be viewed as a success. With a long-term deal in place, he has every opportunity to be successful and become a fan favorite for the rival Patriots. While it is extremely difficult to wish the best for a New England Patriot, it is hard not to root for JuJu Smith-Schuster. His time in Pittsburgh truly was special.
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