JuJu Smith-Schuster announced on Friday that he has agreed to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, becoming only the third wide receiver in the modern era to earn a second contract with the organization and join Hines Ward and Antonio Brown .
Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Baltimore Ravens put a lot of pressure on Smith-Schuster to sign and that the Philadelphia Eagles also offered a multi-year deal with more money, but that he took significantly less money to one year to stay with Steelers. agreement.
“This is my house, they need a wreck ball to take me here! PITTSBURGH I LOVE YOU, COME US !!!!!” he posted on Twitter.
This is my house, they need a wreck ball to take me here! PITTSBURGH I LOVE YOU, COME US !!!!! 💛🖤💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/SPFvCLUmFl
– JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) 19 March 2021
Can’t say enough, I love you Pittsburgh. Here came a young 20-year-old and you hugged me from the moment I arrived here. So much love. Had my back through everything, all the struggle and success. So hard to leave. See you this fall in Heinz WE ARE GOING CRAZY !!!
– JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) 19 March 2021
However, the signing of Smith-Schuster did not come without consequences, and the captains Steelers also gave permission to start cornerback Steven Nelson looking for a trade, a source told Schefter.
The Steelers had less than $ 4 million on the mantle as of Friday morning, and trading or cutting Nelson would release a little over $ 8 million.
Nelson’s departure would make him the fifth starting defensive player to leave the team’s free agency, including veteran fullback Vince Williams, who was released earlier this week.
Not my partner in CRIMe !!!!! @ Nelson_Island 🥺🥺🥺🥺😤 !!! Love your brother! This league is fed up
Joe Haden (@ joehaden23) 19 March 2021
Smith-Schuster’s 2020 season ended on a sour note when he came under fire for his comments ahead of the season finale against opponent Cleveland Browns.
“I think they’re still the same Browns I played every year,” Smith-Schuster said before the game. ‘I think they are nameless gray faces. They have some good players in their team. But at the end of the day, the Browns are the Browns. ‘
The receiver was also scrutinized during the season for his viral dances on opponents’ midfield logos before matches and posting them on TikTok – an exercise he stopped after coach Mike Tomlin spoke to him when it was already the more attention from opponents and media.
Smith-Schuster, 24, became a fan favorite shortly after being selected in the second round of the 2017 draft. Smith-Schuster is known for riding his bicycle to the South Side facility when it was stolen and then returned within 24 hours.
As a rookie, Smith-Schuster also quickly gained attention on the field as the no. 2-receiver for Antonio Brown, and he caught 58 passes for 917 receptions and seven touchdowns – including a 97-yard touchdown run.
A year later, he was more than 1,000 yards with 1,426 reception yards and seven more touchdowns, plus a 13-year-old TD.
However, after Brown left, Smith-Schuster did not go up to the top receiver spot as smoothly as he had hoped. His 2019 season was riddled with nagging injuries, and he missed four games. Smith-Schuster played without Ben Roethlisberger with a career-low 552 yards and three touchdowns.
The following season, Smith-Schuster jumped back into the slot and received 831 yards and a career-best nine times. He was Roethlisberger’s goal on the third down point and received praise from his quarterback and coach for eagerness and the ability to pick up yards through contact.
In four NFL seasons, he had 308 receptions for 3,726 yards and 26 touchdowns in 58 games.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor contributed to this report.