Good JuJu: Can New Offense Bring Out The Best In JuJu Smith-Schuster?

Embed from Getty Images
For the first time in his NFL career, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster will not be donning colors of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former USC Trojan is now in Kansas City, as the Chiefs signed him to a one-year deal earlier this offseason. One of many changes to the offense in KC, Smith-Schuster is hoping to help create a new identity for the team’s offensive unit.

While with the Steelers, Smith-Schuster was held in check in recent seasons, so to speak. This does not completely include his sense of production. Rather, Smith-Schuster was one of many pass catchers who Pittsburgh had to use on short, quick throws. There were still some occasional intermediate to deep shots that were taken. But for the most part, the Steelers had become largely subjected into a “pop gun” offense. JuJu Smith-Schuster saw his yards per reception numbers fade to career lows, as a result.

With his career move to Kansas City, the wide receiver may be able to benefit both he and the team to new heights. The specific style of play that Smith-Schuster utilizes is arguably a perfect match for this current Chiefs squad. Meanwhile, how could Kansas City’s gameplan elevate this pass catcher moving forward? There may be no limit to JuJu Smith-Schuster in an environment like this. Let’s kick it off.

Smith-Schuster’s Style Of Play

With the absence of Tyreek Hill, it will be fascinating to see how much Kansas City moves some of these new wide receivers around within the formation. JuJu Smith-Schuster has generally won most of his reps from the slot. The denser build of this pass catcher is not something that Andy Reid or the Chiefs have had from most of their high-profile slot receivers. In fact, Smith-Schuster wins most of his reps by imposing his will and strength on opposing defensive backs. This not only leads to frustration, but it allows for JuJu to make difficult catches in traffic look rather easy. That is especially true when you have the rules of today’s pass happy NFL, favoring offensive skill players.

Elsewhere, JuJu Smith-Schuster is able to create yards after the catch for himself in a multitude of ways. He simply knows how to make defenders miss. Whether that is with elusiveness or upper body strength, the wide receiver knows how and when to pick his spots in space. At the same time, his physicality with the ball in his hands is something that Smith-Schuster does not shy away from. All of these aspects after the catch are more elements that most wide receivers have not possessed while with the Chiefs in recent years.

How Does That Translate To Chiefs’ Offense?

Teams have begun to defend the Chiefs differently over the last couple of seasons. Looking to take away the deep ball, opponents are forcing Patrick Mahomes to take what is given to him. That was certainly a challenge for the young quarterback early last season. Though, as the season began to get deeper last year, Mahomes started to let his pass catchers create more damage for themselves after the catch.

The run after catch ability is already enticing for a new piece like JuJu Smith-Schuster, alone. Yet, there is something about his mentality and toughness that also stands out from others at his position. Smith-Schuster plays with immense tenacity on offense. Because of that, the Chiefs can begin to work more routes to the middle of the field more often. They do plenty of this with Travis Kelce already. In the case of Smith-Schuster, his demanding presence when working the middle allow for the offense to continue to grind at the heart of the defense.

In recent seasons, Coach Reid has also begun to incorporate plenty of horizontal action within the routes. Smith-Schuster’s candidness in tight areas could help those attempts open up more for everyone as a whole on the Chiefs offense. Moreover, Reid has been able to dial up successful man coverage beaters. With the ability to win from underneath like JuJu Smith-Schuster can, Kansas City could essentially have more quick, open looks to work with overall.

Is Patrick Mahomes The Perfect Match For JuJu?

We mentioned above that the Steelers offense had resorted to a dumbed down “pop gun” offense, in a sense, with Ben Roethlisberger. As tremendous of a career as Big Ben had, there was a definite pre-determined ceiling capped on the supporting cast in Pittsburgh during the last couple of years. Just for starters, getting out of that minimized environment is huge for any wide receiver.

There are a wide-ranging set of items that come with playing with Mahomes. Not every team has that luxury when pairing their new pass catchers with their signal caller. First off, Mahomes is ahead of most of the other younger quarterbacks, when it comes to his wicked release and timing with getting the ball in the teammate’s hands. There is also an uncanniness to his ball placement when that first item is on point. Finally, Mahomes has the rare ability to manipulate the eyes and feet of opposing defenders with his mannerisms. Not every quarterback exemplifies these aspects. And for JuJu Smith-Schuster, these items were not continually present recently in Pittsburgh.

The Chiefs are still one of the more exotic offenses for teams to have to defend. Smith-Schuster has not seen that benefit throughout most of his career. In turn, a change of scenery may have been just what he needed. Coming off of injury-riddled seasons and seasons with limited production, Smith-Schuster needed to be in a spot where the offense attacks space. In Pittsburgh, he still found ways to be creative and build upon explosive plays. If that continues in Kansas City, the Chiefs will be gifted by the diverse talent of JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles in the coming days. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.