JuJu Smith-Schuster announced Friday that he agreed to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, becoming the third wide receiver of the modern era to secure a second contract with the organization, joining Hines Ward and Antonio Brown. .
Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Baltimore Ravens made a strong effort to sign Smith-Schuster and that the Philadelphia Eagles also offered a multi-year deal with more money, but ended up taking significantly less money to stay with. the Steelers in a year agreement.
“This is my house, they’ll need a shredder ball to get me out of here! PITTSBURGH I LOVE YOU, LET’S GO !!!!!” posted on Twitter.
This is my house, they will need a shredder 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 enough, I love you in Pittsburgh. A 20-year-old came here and you hugged me from the moment I got here. Lots of love. He had his back to everything, all the struggles and success. So hard to leave. See you this fall at Heinz WE FUCKED !!!
– JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) March 19, 2021
However, Smith-Schuster’s signing has no consequences, and the Steelers on Friday also granted permission to first cornerback Steven Nelson to look for a trade, a source told Schefter.
The Steelers had less than $ 4 million of maximum space as of Friday morning, and Nelson’s trade or cut would release just over eight million dollars.
Nelson’s departure would make him the fifth starting defensive player to leave the team in free agency, including veteran defender Vince Williams, who was released earlier this week.
Not my partner in CRIMe !!!!! @Nelson_Island 🥺🥺🥺🥺😤 !!! I love brother! This garter is cut at the throat
– Joe Haden (@ joehaden23) March 19, 2021
Smith-Schuster’s 2020 season ended on such a sour note as he was subjected to his comments before the season’s defeat against rival Cleveland Browns.
“I think they’re still the same Browns I’ve played every year,” Smith-Schuster said before the game. “I think they’re nameless gray faces. They have a couple of good players on their team. But in the end, the Browns are the Browns.”
The receiver was also examined during the season for his viral dances in opponents’ midfield logos before games and posting them on TikTok, a practice he stopped after coach Mike Tomlin spoke to him as he increasingly shouted l ‘attention of opponents and media.
Smith-Schuster, 24, became a fan favorite shortly after being selected in the second round of the 2017 draft. Known for cycling at the South Side facilities of the team, Smith-Schuster gained even more notoriety when it was stolen and then returned in 24 hours.
As a rookie, Smith-Schuster also quickly gained field attention as No. 2 catcher Antonio Brown, capturing 58 passes for 917 receiving yards and 7 touchdown catches, including a 97-yard touchdown.
A year later, he surpassed 1,000 yards with 1,426 receiving yards and 7 more touchdowns, plus a 13-yard TD.
Once Brown left, however, Smith-Schuster did not rise to the dog’s first position as smoothly as he expected. His 2019 season was full of injuries and he lost four games. Playing without Ben Roethlisberger, Smith-Schuster finished with a minimum run of 552 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The following season, Smith-Schuster returned to the slot, recording 831 receiving yards and 9 best touchdowns in the run. He was Roethlisberger’s main target in third advances and received praise from his quarterback and coach for the squeaky and ability to pick up gardens through contact.
In four NFL seasons, he received 308 receptions for 3,726 yards and 26 received touchdowns in 58 games.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor contributed to this report.