JuJu Smith-Schuster Rumors: Latest on Steelers Free Agent Before Free Agency | Bleacher Report

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Because the NFL opens the window for the authorized tampering interval on Monday, the highest free brokers may have a number of choices whereas available on the market regardless of the depressed wage cap. Professional Bowl wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster suits into that group.

Smith-Schuster may command north of $16 million yearly on a brand new deal, per Spotrac. That quantity might exceed the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ finances. The membership has roughly $5.1 million in cap house. 

The Athletic’s Ed Bouchette believes Smith-Schuster has the expertise to steer a younger receiving corps, however the demand for him will worth the Steelers out of vary to re-sign him. 

“Name it Younger Cash II, a follow-up to these days of 2010 and 2011 when the brat pack of receivers included Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown. What that group had that this one doesn’t was a veteran chief in Hines Ward. He was on the tail-end of his profession however may nonetheless present the best way for the kids. Smith-Schuster may have been that participant however, alas, his market worth can be too wealthy for the Steelers.”

Pittsburgh has sufficient depth at vast receiver to subject a stable group with out Smith-Schuster.

In 2020, Diontae Johnson led the crew in receiving yards (923). As a rookie, Chase Claypool had a robust marketing campaign, scoring 11 whole touchdowns. Going ahead, the teaching workers can develop James Washington‘s function in three vast receiver units.

But the Steelers will not less than monitor Smith-Schuster’s scenario. In line with NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport (h/t SteelerNation.com), they’ve stored an open line of communication with him, however he’ll assess his market worth: 

Smith-Schuster will likely need time to weigh his options. According to John Clayton of 710 ESPN Seattle, the Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots will present some degree of curiosity within the four-year veteran. 

The Raiders might fall out of the operating for Smith-Schuster if his worth rises above $16 million per yr. In line with Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Evaluation-Journal, the crew views wideout Nelson Agholor as a precedence on its free-agency agenda.

“The primary precedence is bringing Agholor again, and given the cost-effectiveness in doing so he seems to be the very best guess,” Bonsignore wrote.

If Vegas sticks to plan A at vast receiver, New England and Miami may undergo a bidding battle for Smith-Schuster. Primarily based on the depth charts, the Patriots want him extra, they usually find the money for to fulfill his contract calls for. 

In line with Rapoport, Patriots vast receiver Julian Edelman’s 2021 season standing stays unclear as he recovers from knee surgical procedure. Per NFL Community’s Mike Garafolo (h/t Kevin Patra), groups have inquired about N’Keal Harry. Jakobi Meyers may go into the 2021 marketing campaign as New England’s lead receiver.

With $69.3 million in cap house, the Patriots can signal Smith-Schuster to a profitable long-term deal, although New England also can check out free-agent wideout Kenny Golladay, who has a Professional Bowl on his resume together with two 1,000-plus yard receiving seasons. Both approach, the Patriots will doubtless purchase a pass-catcher due to their query marks on the wideout place.

If Smith-Schuster prefers a stronger supporting forged, he might look elsewhere, although. The Dolphins have a high-potential however unproven quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa. Cam Newton re-signed with the Patriots following his worst statistical season as a passer, throwing for two,657 yards, eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions. 

Smith-Schuster’s listing of choices will doubtless transcend just some groups, however he is already a preferred identify within the AFC East. Again in February, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler listed the New York Jets as the very best match for the gifted wideout and dropped a juicy rumor in his evaluation. 

“The Jets are looking at Smith-Schuster and Will Fuller V on the prime of the market,” Fowler wrote.

Going into free company, Gang Inexperienced has $68.4 million in cap house, which implies New England may have a robust competitor for one in all its prime targets available on the market.

Crew cap-space figures courtesy of Over the Cap.