https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.co...eal-nfl-rumors
JuJu Smith-Schuster turns down Ravens and Chiefs to stay with Steelers on 1-year deal
The Pittsburgh Steelers keep an offensive weapon in JuJu Smith-Schuster for the 2021 season.
By Jeff.Hartman@BnGBlitz Updated Mar 19, 2021, 1:30pm EDT
NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers have seen many of their free agents leave to find new homes in the NFL. Players like Bud Dupree, Tyson Alualu and Mike Hilton are all calling a new team home. But one big name had yet to sign with another team.
That name was JuJu Smith-Schuster.
The longer Smith-Schuster remained a free agent, it seemed as if the chances were greater he would potentially return to the Steelers. Low and behold, Friday afternoon Smith-Schuster decided to stay in Pittsburgh, turning down offers from the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs to do so.
This from Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network:
JuJu to the #Steelers on a 1-year worth $8M, source said. He had better offers from the #Ravens and the #Chiefs. But stays in PIT.
https://t.co/Kz9aaR1srN
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 19, 2021
See what Smith-Schuster said himself on his verified Twitter account about returning:
This is my home, they’re gonna need a wrecking ball to take me outta here! PITTSBURGH I LOVE YOU, LET’S GO!!!!! pic.twitter.com/SPFvCLUmFl
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) March 19, 2021
So what did Smith-Schuster turn down to come back to Pittsburgh? According to NFL Network’s Taylor Bisciotti, the deals were as follows:
Sources tell me these were the other offers
KC 8 mill with 3 mill incentives
Steelers 8 mill
Baltimore 9 mill 4 incentives
— Taylor Bisciotti (@TaylorBisciotti) March 19, 2021
Additionally, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Eagles were also in the mix with a larger contract.
JuJu Smith-Schuster also turned down more money on a multi-year deal from the Eagles than he took to return to the Steelers, per source. The Eagles’ were a secret suitor. But Smith-Schuster loved Pittsburgh and its fans too much to leave.
https://t.co/X8gitZYxwd
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2021
The return of Smith-Schuster might be viewed as him signing a one-year “prove it” type deal. With the salary cap dipping to $182.5 this year, it is safe to say Smith-Schuster is betting on himself to play well, and earn more money in 2022 when the salary cap is expected to balloon up over $200 million dollars.
In his four years in Pittsburgh, Smith-Schuster has seen his role tweaked as the wide receiver room has changed. Taking a league by storm his first two seasons, Smith-Schuster earned a Pro Bowl bid in 2018 when he had 1,426 receiving yards on 111 receptions. After an injury riddled 2019, as well as missing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Smith-Schuster led the Steelers in receptions in 2020 with 97. His 831 receiving yards last season was third on the Steelers behind Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool, and his nine receiving touchdowns was tied with Claypool.
Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes on the Steelers as
[Reply]
Originally Posted by Coach:
**** him.
He had his chance, he decided that going back to Shitsburgh is better than here. And he lost out a ring because of his piss-poor decisions, which is par on course for him.
I'd rather take Allen Robinson any day over this Tik Tok attention seeking whore. If he wants to come here, he'll need to take the vet minimum, no more.
He made a decision to stick with the team that drafted him in a year of uncertainty and a lower cap, is it really the end of the world? It’s not like he pulled an Emmanuel Sanders. If he comes at a decent price I don’t see why not, pair him with a WR in the first 3 rounds and we have some pretty good depth.
Also, Allen Robinson won’t be cheap even after a down year.
[Reply]
Originally Posted by OKchiefs:
He made a decision to stick with the team that drafted him in a year of uncertainty and a lower cap, is it really the end of the world? It’s not like he pulled an Emmanuel Sanders. If he comes at a decent price I don’t see why not, pair him with a WR in the first 3 rounds and we have some pretty good depth.
Also, Allen Robinson won’t be cheap even after a down year.
I don't care. He should pay the Chiefs just to be here. He had his chance, he passed. That's on him.
I'll take my chances on the draft finding a WR instead of paying this guy, or overpay Allen Robinson who is a fantastic receiver, stuck with complete shit QB's.
[Reply]