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JuJu Smith-Schuster announced on Friday that he has agreed to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, becoming the third modern-era wide receiver to win a second contract with the organization, joining Hines Ward and Antonio Brown.
Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Baltimore Ravens went to great lengths to sign Smith-Schuster and that the Philadelphia Eagles also came up with a multi-year deal with more money, but he ended up taking a lot less money to stay with the Steelers over a year. agreement.
“This is my place, they’re going to 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’re gonna 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. I came here a 20 year old and you kissed me from the moment I got here. So much love. I had my back to everything, all the struggles and the success. So hard to leave. See you this fall at Heinz WE ARE CRAZY !!!
– JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) March 19, 2021
However, Smith-Schuster’s signing is not without consequences, and the cap-strapped Steelers have also allowed starting cornerback 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 reducing Nelson would free just over $ 8 million.
Nelson’s departure would make him the fifth starting fielder 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 🥺🥺🥺🥺😤 !!! I love you, my brother! This league is cut at the throat
– Joe Haden (@ joehaden23) March 19, 2021
Smith-Schuster’s 2020 season ended on a sour note as he was criticized for his comments ahead of the season-ending playoff loss to rival Cleveland Browns.
“I think it’s still the same Browns I’ve played every year,” Smith-Schuster said before the game. “I think they’re unnamed gray faces. They have a few good players on their team. But at the end of the day, the Browns are the Browns.”
The wide receiver has also come under scrutiny over the season for his viral dancing to opponents’ midfielder logos before games and displaying them on TikTok – a practice he quit after coach Mike Tomlin spoke to him. as it attracted more and more attention from adversaries and the media.
Smith-Schuster, 24, became a fan favorite shortly after being selected in the second round of the 2017 Draft. Known for riding his bicycle around the South Side team facility, Smith-Schuster won again more notoriety when it was stolen and then returned within 24 hours.
As a rookie, Smith-Schuster also quickly gained attention on the court as Antonio Brown’s No.2 receiver, catching 58 passes for 917 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, including a 97-yard score.
A year later, he passed 1,000 yards with 1,426 receiving yards and seven more touchdowns, plus a 13-yard rushing touchdown.
Once Brown left, however, Smith-Schuster didn’t climb to the top spot in receivers as easily as he hoped. His 2019 season was riddled with persistent injuries and he missed four games. Playing without Ben Roethlisberger, Smith-Schuster finished with a career low of 552 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
The following season, Smith-Schuster bounced back into the slot machine, registering 831 receiving yards and nine career-best touchdowns. He was Roethlisberger’s target of choice in the third downs and received praise from his quarterback and coach for his granularity and ability to pick up yards on contact.
In four seasons in the NFL, he has 308 receptions for 3,726 yards and 26 touchdowns in 58 games.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor contributed to this report.
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