Ravens' Run-Heavy Offense Cost Them JuJu Smith-Schuster

One of the most-talked-about free agents this offseason was JuJu Smith-Schuster.

At the end of the day, the 24-year-old receiver wound up signing a one-year, $8 million deal to stay with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, Smith-Schuster had a series of suitors, including other contenders in the Kansas City Chiefs and division rival the Baltimore Ravens

Smith-Schuster recently discussed the possibility of signing with the Ravens. Besides being an AFC North foe, he was turned off by Baltimore's run-heavy offensive attack.

It was theorized this offseason that WRs were passing on the Ravens because of their offense, and JuJu confirmed that suspicion.

"Lamar [Jackson] is in a really, a heavy-run offense with the backs that he has. and that's just the point being the facts. His No. 1 target was [Mark] Andrews, who is a tight end."

- JuJu Smith-Schuster

The Ravens had the worst passing game in the NFL last season. They averaged 171.9 passing yards on a league-low 25.9 attempts per game. Mark Andrews and Marquise Brown were the only Ravens pass-catchers to surpass 700 yards in 2020. The next closest player was Willie Snead, who had 432.

Assuming things stayed the same had he joined the Ravens, JuJu Smith-Schuster would see far less success than he saw with the Steelers last season. He recorded more receptions (97), receiving yards (831) and touchdowns (9) than anyone else on the Ravens roster.

The Ravens did end up signing Sammy Watkins, so it's not as if they didn't bring in at least one receiver to start the offseason. Still, Smith-Schuster would've been a massive addition for Baltimore in 2021 had the team not focused so much on the run.

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