JuJu Smith-Schuster Says He’s Learned More Offense with Chiefs than 5 Years with Steelers

Former Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 16: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) raises his hands to fire up the crowd before an AFC wild card playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs on Jan 16, 2022 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire)

Former Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster said to Melissa Stark of Sunday Night Football that he learned more about offense in the past few months in Kansas City than he did during his entire five-year tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers to begin his career.

“JuJu told me this week, it is awesome to have an offensive-minded coach in Andy Reid,” Stark said on her talk with Smith-Schuster. “He’s learned more these last few months in Kansas City than he did in all five years in Pittsburgh. He said Reid makes you see the whole field and manages the why picture to understand how to read defenses.”

Smith-Schuster had three different offensive coordinators through his five years with the Steelers. In his first season, it was Todd Haley. Then, for the three seasons afterward, it was Randy Fichtner who took the steering wheel of the offense. Finally, in his last season, it was Matt Canada who took over the offense.

None of those names come close to the offensive coaching royalty that is Reid, and it is one of the main complaints that could be had about Mike Tomlin’s tenure in Pittsburgh. Thus far in his career, and certainly recently, Pittsburgh has struggled to find consistency at the position.

Now, with JuJu Smith-Schuster outside the organization, he has the opportunity to carve out a new path in his career. Reid is certainly one of the best minds in the NFL to learn from if that is what he wants to do moving forward.

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