Smith-Schuster embracing role as No. 1 WR, team leader
With Antonio Brown now a member of the Oakland Raiders, JuJu Smith-Schuster is embracing his role as a leader in the Pittsburgh Steelers' locker room.
The 22-year-old - now the de facto top wide receiver on Pittsburgh's roster - has prioritized building chemistry and helping the Steelers' younger players in 2019.
"(Being a leader is) very important," Smith-Schuster said, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "There are some new guys on the team, and building that chemistry and that connection means a lot. Me just being here, being around other guys, shows I'm ready to play, I'm all about the team, I'm all about us. We're here for one reason."
Smith-Schuster's ongoing feud with Brown has led to the young wideout adopting a team-first mentality that appears to have led to more camaraderie on the field.
"Everyone is there for each other," he said. "There's no individual. Everyone's into playing, winning games, the Super Bowl. Everybody's on the same page. Yesterday we dominated, today we dominated. You can see that connection with Ben (Roethlisberger), with (Josh) Dobbs, with Mason (Rudolph)."
Smith-Schuster broke out as a sophomore in 2018, accumulating 111 receptions, 1,426 yards, and seven touchdowns, earning team MVP.