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On the periphery of his first time as a free agent, JuJu Smith-Schuster took a minute to thank the fanbase that embraced him from Day One. On Sunday afternoon, Smith-Schuster thanked Steelers followers for his or her assist through the previous 4 years.
The previous USC star instantly endeared himself to Steelers followers when he cried tears of joy after Pittsburgh chosen him within the second spherical of the 2017 draft. His play on the sphere as a rookie, alongside along with his infectious character, has made him one of many Steelers’ hottest gamers. An instance of Smith-Schuster’s recognition in Pittsburgh was the city-wide search for his lost bicycle throughout his rookie season. Smith-Schuster finally discovered his bike and, within the course of, discovered a second residence in Pittsburgh, at the least for the previous 4 years.
“It doesn’t matter what occurs this week, if I am again or if I am elsewhere, simply know that I’ll by no means see Pittsburgh as simply [four years] of my life, however part of who I’m,” Smith-Schuster wrote through Twitter. “I am going to at all times carry that robust, blue collar spirit for the remainder of my life.”
Smith-Schuster all however ended any hypothesis final Thursday, when he voted “that’s a negative” on a web based ballot asking whether or not or he would return to Pittsburgh. The very subsequent day, nevertheless, NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Steelers want Smith-Schuster back and have reached out to his representatives.
Even when the Steelers make him a proposal earlier than March 17, it is a secure wager that Smith-Schuster will resolve to check the open market. The Steelers’ present wage cap state of affairs (they’ve simply over $5 million in cap house, according to Over the Cap) limits how a lot they will provide Smith-Schuster. Pittsburgh additionally has to maintain cash accessible to maintain defensive stars T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick within the coming years. Given their monetary limitations, Smith-Schuster will certainly obtain the next provide from a unique crew.
Regardless, the Steelers won’t be able to maintain each Smith-Schuster and Bud Dupree, who recorded 19.5 sacks over his final 27 video games. If Pittsburgh loses each gamers, they may depend on second-year linebacker Alex Highsmith and receivers Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and James Washington to fill these spots.
Whoever will get Smith-Schuster is getting a seasoned professional who continues to be simply 24 years previous. A bodily receiver at 6-foot-1 and 215 kilos, Smith-Schuster caught 308 passes for 3,726 yards and 26 touchdowns throughout his first 4 seasons in Pittsburgh. He was named crew MVP in 2018 after catching 111 passes for 1,426 yards and 7 touchdowns.
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