Packers trading for JuJu Smith-Schuster is long-term answer Green Bay needs
JuJu Smith-Schuster may not be in Pittsburgh much longer and the Packers should trade for the wide receiver as he’s the long-term answer they need.
Sometimes in the NFL, the stars just align in one way or another. While that doesn’t mean things always happen as they should, it does mean that perfect opportunities do present themselves. And that may well be the case right now for the Green Bay Packers and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Starting with the Packers, the displeasure from analysts and fans alike with what general manager Brian Gutekunst and the front office did in the 2020 NFL Draft is widespread. Even taking trading up for Jordan Love out of the equation, Green Bay failed to select a wide receiver despite a historically rich draft class at the position and a dire need on the roster.
However, the aforementioned JuJu Smith-Schuster may be able to help them. The wide receiver is entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But after exploding for 111 catches and 1,426 yards in 2018, he’s also coming off of a down year with just 42 receptions, 552 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games.
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While part of Smith-Schuster’s struggles can simply be boiled down to quarterback play with Ben Roethlisberger getting injured early, there are viable concerns about whether he can be a No. 1 receiver in an NFL offense. And those are concerns that Pittsburgh is reportedly wary of as he’s about to be due a new contract.
Steelers beat reporter Ed Bouchette of The Athletic (subscription required) recently said in a mailbag that he believes Smith-Schuster won’t get a new contract with Pittsburgh after the 2020 season. Either the wide receiver will bounce back and price himself out or the team’s belief that he isn’t a No. 1 wide receiver will win out in the front office decision-making.
If that is indeed the case, then it would behoove the Steelers to trade JuJu. Yes, he could help the team win in the 2020 season. But in terms of long-term team-building, they would be letting a valuable asset simply walk out the door for either nothing or pennies on the dollar if they tagged and traded Smith-Schuster. However, if Pittsburgh traded him now, that wouldn’t be the case.
That’s where the Packers could enter the fray. Smith-Schuster would be an immediate answer to their primary need — getting a passing-game weapon for Aaron Rodgers outside of Davante Adams. Smith-Schuster would come in and be in a role where he wouldn’t have to be an alpha in the offense but would also be able to see plenty of targets and thrive in with a high-caliber unit.
Furthermore, Green Bay wouldn’t just be getting a rental, assuming they could work out an extension. Smith-Schuster will be just 23 years old when the 2020 season kicks off, meaning that he could be the long-term asset for the rest of Rodgers’ career with the Packers and for Love once the incoming rookie assumedly takes over down the road.
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No matter how you slice it, a JuJu Smith-Schuster trade would be perfect for the Packers. When you talk about the need, the overall situation with the team and the situation with the potential trade target, it all makes sense for this to happen. So if Pittsburgh is seriously considering parting with the wide receiver, Green Bay needs to be on the phones at every waking moment to get this trade done.