During the 2021 offseason, the Steelers announced they will not be renewing Randy Fichtner's contract going forward after it expired after the 2020 season. A little over a month into the offseason the Steelers announced they will be promoting Matt Canada as their new offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh. There will be many changes going forward for the Steelers offense as they were atrocious in 2020 even though they went 11-0. One of those changes on the offensive side of the ball will be in regards to the wide receivers.
JuJu Smith-Schuster has said on multiple occasions he will be playing both inside and outside for the Steelers in 2021. JuJu has mostly played in the slot position during his time with the Steelers, but now he says we should expect to see the 'whole package' going forward for all of the Steelers receivers. Matt Canada loves to utilize everyone on the football field so I wouldn't be surprised if other players emerge in a big way this season especially Ray-Ray McCloud.
After practice today JuJu Smith-Schuster said who will play in the slot position going forward during the 2021 season. He says "Ray-Ray McCloud is going to play in the slot position." Smith-Schuster also called him the 'best slot receiver on the Steelers behind him.' For the majority of the time in Pittsburgh, Ray-Ray was mostly the Steelers punt returner, but when he did eventually get onto the field he was used in many reverse plays. When he finds the open field he always knows how to turn on the burners in order to gain extra yardage.
By Ray-Ray moving to the slot position tells me that Matt Canada is looking for speed on the offensive side of the ball. Expect the Steelers' offense to get very creative this season especially during their pre-snap motions. Matt Canada loves to use reverses so it will be interesting how much the Steelers will end up using Ray-Ray this season with those reverse plays. JuJu played about 80% of the time in the slot position and now the Steelers will look to move him outside more. This will be very interesting and a completely different look on the offensive side of the ball going forward.