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JuJu Smith-Schuster on Friday introduced he has agreed to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, changing into simply the third broad receiver within the trendy period to earn a second contract with the group, becoming a member of Hines Ward and Antonio Brown.
Sources advised ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Baltimore Ravens made a tough push to signal Smith-Schuster and that the Philadelphia Eagles additionally provided a multiyear take care of more cash however that Smith-Schuster wound up taking considerably much less cash to stick with the Steelers on a one-year deal.
A supply advised ESPN’s Discipline Yates that Smith-Schuster’s $8 million contract with the Steelers has a $7 million signing bonus, $1 million base wage and 4 void years. The contract’s construction will end in a $2.4 million cap hit in 2021 and a $5.6 million cap hit in 2022, ESPN’s Dan Graziano reviews.
“That is my residence, they’re gonna want a wrecking ball to take me outta right here! PITTSBURGH I LOVE YOU, LET’S GO!!!!!” he posted on Twitter.
That is my residence, they’re gonna want a wrecking ball to take me outta right here! PITTSBURGH I LOVE YOU, LET’S GO!!!!! 💛🖤💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/SPFvCLUmFl
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) March 19, 2021
Cannot say it sufficient, I really like you Pittsburgh. Got here in right here a younger 20 yr previous and also you guys embraced me from the second I received right here. A lot love. Had my again via every thing, all of the struggles and success. So arduous to depart. See you this Fall in Heinz WE’RE GOIN CRAZY!!!
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) March 19, 2021
Signing Smith-Schuster does not come with out penalties, nonetheless, and the cap-strapped Steelers even have granted permission to beginning cornerback Steven Nelson to hunt a commerce, a supply advised Schefter.
The Steelers had lower than $4 million in cap area as of Friday morning, and buying and selling or chopping Nelson would liberate somewhat greater than $8 million.
Nelson’s departure would make him the fifth beginning defensive participant to depart from the group in free company, together with veteran linebacker Vince Williams, who was launched earlier this week.
Not my companion in CRIMe!!!!! @Nelson_Island 🥺🥺🥺🥺😤!!! Love u bro! This league is minimize throat
— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) March 19, 2021
Smith-Schuster’s 2020 season ended on one thing of a bitter notice as he got here underneath hearth for his feedback earlier than the season-ending playoff loss to the rival Cleveland Browns.
“I believe they’re nonetheless the identical Browns that I’ve performed yearly,” Smith-Schuster mentioned earlier than the sport. “I believe they’re anonymous grey faces. They’ve a few good gamers on their group. However on the finish of the day, the Browns is the Browns.”
The receiver was additionally scrutinized through the season for his dances on the midfield logos of opponents earlier than video games that he posted on TikTok — a observe he stopped after coach Mike Tomlin talked to him when it was drawing increasingly more consideration from opponents and media.
Smith-Schuster, 24, turned a fan favourite quickly after he was chosen within the second spherical of the 2017 draft. Recognized for driving his bicycle to the group’s South Aspect facility, Smith-Schuster gained much more notoriety when it was stolen after which returned inside 24 hours.
As a rookie, Smith-Schuster additionally shortly gained consideration on the sector because the No. 2 receiver to Antonio Brown, catching 58 passes for 917 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns — together with a 97-yard rating.
A yr later, he topped 1,000 yards with 1,426 receiving yards and 7 extra touchdowns, plus a 13-yard speeding TD.
As soon as Brown departed, although, Smith-Schuster did not ascend to the highest receiver spot as easily as he hoped to. His 2019 season was riddled with nagging accidents, and he missed 4 video games. Taking part in with out Ben Roethlisberger, Smith-Schuster completed with a career-low 552 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
The subsequent season, Smith-Schuster bounced again within the slot, recording 831 receiving yards and a career-best 9 touchdowns. He was Roethlisberger’s go-to goal on third downs and acquired reward from his quarterback and the coach for grittiness and his means to select up yards by way of contact.
In 4 NFL seasons, he has 308 receptions for 3,726 yards and 26 touchdowns in 58 video games.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor contributed to this report.
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