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One of many extra curious, and intriguing, facets of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2021 free company strikes was the group with the ability to carry again large receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on a one-year contract.
Belief me, it was nice the group was capable of finding a option to carry Smith-Schuster again, and on a team-friendly deal, however it does make you marvel why Smith-Schuster wasn’t picked up by one other group for prime greenback.
Some will say it’s due to him not being a pure No. 1 receiver.
Okay.
Some will counsel it’s due to his off area “model”, and his Tik Tok dancing which obtained a whole lot of media consideration this previous season.
Perhaps.
However what if it wasn’t any of the above causes. What if there have been considerations about his well being? Particularly, his knee(s)?
That’s precisely what is insinuated by ESPN insiders once they recapped the Steelers’ early free agent strikes. Try what they needed to say:
Stage of free-agency aggressiveness: Largely scaled-back method
Prime transfer: Re-signing large receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for one 12 months, $8 million
Smith-Schuster hitting the market and getting one-year provides was among the many most shocking developments of free company. Perhaps it shouldn’t be, since many groups considered Smith-Schuster as No. 2 — which, on this depressed market, doesn’t pay.
However a number of sources stated the 24-year-old’s well being will probably be one thing to look at after some knee considerations have continued from the previous two seasons.
In 2019, Smith-Schuster missed 4 video games with a knee harm and concussion. He missed a number of practices final season with the knee harm designation, and sources say he’s acquired frequent remedy for knee-related points, which makes them marvel about his long-term sturdiness going ahead.
Kim Miale, Smith-Schuster’s agent, stated no considerations had been raised by any group throughout free company, together with the Steelers, and he or she famous Smith-Schuster performed all 16 video games and into the postseason.
The Steelers are comfy sufficient with Smith-Schuster’s means to provide him one other season with Ben Roethlisberger to attempt to up his worth. Smith-Schuster has been coaching with out restriction in Los Angeles this offseason, so possibly he has labored previous what nags him. He’s proven the power to play via any points.
Nevertheless it’s one thing to observe, significantly forward of what might be a loaded 2022 class of free-agent large receivers.
Smith-Schuster has had his share of illnesses all through his profession, however the reality he performed in all 16 video games, plus the playoff recreation, final season both exhibits a excessive diploma of toughness, or an harm which he simply handled, even when it hindered his total efficiency.
No matter why Smith-Schuster returned, and it might be a combination of a number of the explanation why groups stayed away, Steelers followers needs to be pleased to see No. 19 again within the black and gold for at the least one other season.
Be sure you keep tuned to BTSC for the newest information and notes surrounding the Steelers as they put together for NFL Free Company and the 2021 NFL Draft.
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