JuJu Smith-Schuster announced on Friday that he has agreed to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, making him just the third wide receiver in the modern era to earn a second contract with the organization, joining Hines Ward and Antonio Brown.
Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Baltimore Ravens made a hard effort to sign Smith-Schuster and that the Philadelphia Eagles also offered a multi-year deal with more money, but he ended up taking significantly less money to stay with the Steelers for year. deal.
“This is my house, they need a wrecking ball to get me out of here! PITTSBURGH I LOVE YOU, LET’S GO !!!!!” he posted on Twitter.
This is my house, they need a wrecking ball to get me out of here! PITTSBURGH I LOVE YOU LET’S GO !!!!! pic.twitter.com/SPFvCLUmFl
– JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) March 19, 2021
I can’t say it enough I love you Pittsburgh. A young 20 year old came in here and you guys hugged me from the moment I got here. So much love. Had my back through everything, all the struggles and success. So hard to leave. See you in Heinz WE ARE CRAZY !!!
– JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) March 19, 2021
The contracting of Smith-Schuster is not without consequences, however, and the Steelers with antics also gave permission on Friday to start corner defender Steven Nelson to seek a trade, a source told Schefter.
The Steelers had less than $ 4 million in cap space on Friday morning, and trading or cutting Nelson would free up just over $ 8 million.
Nelson’s departure would make him the fifth starting defensive player to leave the team in free agency, including veteran linebacker Vince Williams, who was released earlier this week.
Not my partner in CRIMe !!!!! @Nelson_Island !!! Love your brother! This competition has been severed
– Joe Haden (@ joehaden23) March 19, 2021
Smith-Schuster’s 2020 season ended on a slightly sour note when he came under fire for his comments ahead of the season-specific playoff loss against rival Cleveland Browns.
“I think they are still the same Browns I’ve played every year,” said Smith-Schuster before the game. “I think they are nameless gray faces. They have some good players on their team. But in the end, the Browns are the Browns.”
The receiver was also scrutinized during the season for his viral dancing on opponents ‘logos in midfield for matches and posting them on TikTok – a practice he stopped after coach Mike Tomlin spoke to him when it increasingly attracted opponents’ attention and media.
Smith-Schuster, 24, became a fan favorite shortly after being selected in the second round of the 2017 draft. Smith-Schuster, known for riding his bike to the team’s South Side facility, gained even more fame when it was stolen and then returned within 24 hours.
As a rookie, Smith-Schuster also quickly gained attention on the field as Antonio Brown’s No. 2 receiver, with 58 passes for 917 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches – including a 97-yard score.
A year later, he reached 1,000 yards with 1,426 receiving yards and seven more touchdowns, plus a rushing 13-yard TD.
However, when Brown left, Smith-Schuster didn’t climb as smoothly to the best dog spot as he’d hoped. His 2019 season was full of nagging injuries and he missed four games. Smith-Schuster played without Ben Roethlisberger, finishing with a career-low 552 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
The following season, Smith-Schuster bounced back into the slot, recording 831 receiving yards and a career-best nine touchdowns. Targeted by Roethlisberger on third downs, he received praise from his quarterback and coach for his grittiness and ability to gauge through contact.
In four NFL seasons, he has 308 receptions for 3,726 yards, including 26 touchdowns in 58 games.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor contributed to this report.