[ad_1]
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took a voluntary pay minimize through the offseason.
Roethlisberger’s restructured deal helped the Steelers unencumber sufficient cash to influence extensive receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to return to the crew on a one-year deal. Smith-Schuster determined to remain in Pittsburgh reasonably than depart in free company, citing a way of loyalty.
“For me, I feel it was extra so the loyalty and staying with the quarterback I’ve been enjoying with for the final 4 years,” Smith-Schuster mentioned.
Smith-Schuster, the Steelers’ 2017 second-round decide, mentioned that he turned down alternatives to play in Baltimore and Kansas Metropolis.
“Patrick Mahomes is a good quarterback, and he might be for the following decade, however I feel it’s simply the loyalty to my coaches and my quarterback,” Smith-Schuster mentioned. “If I went to the Ravens, I’d nonetheless have loyal followers (in Pittsburgh), the rivalry is huge and followers would destroy me. The Chiefs have an important offense, having the ability to play with Tyreek (Hill) and Travis (Kelce), however on the finish of the day, I’ve to do what’s finest for me, and that’s staying residence. It makes every thing simpler on me going into subsequent 12 months, and subsequent 12 months’s free company is rather a lot higher.”
Smith-Schuster, who signed an $8 million deal, mentioned that staying in Pittsburgh additionally makes monetary sense. The wage cap is predicted to take a major leap subsequent 12 months after happening in 2021. Smith-Schuster mentioned that there could possibly be extra profitable alternatives if he hits the open market subsequent spring. He hasn’t dominated out a long-term return to Pittsburgh, both.
“The whole lot was totally different with the cap being low,” Smith-Schuster mentioned. “Subsequent 12 months is clearly a 12 months the place the cap goes to be higher. This 12 months, I simply need to go on the market, do what I’ve to do and put stuff on tape to make my worth even higher.”
The 24-year-old Smith-Schuster was a Professional Bowl choice in 2018. He’s the one NFL participant for the reason that 1970 AFL-NFL merger to register at the least 250 receptions, 3,300 receiving yards and 21 receiving touchdowns earlier than his twenty fourth birthday.
Final season, Smith-Schuster was one of many NFL’s prime receivers out of the slot. This season, he desires to play extra on the surface.
“Having the ability to play outdoors, you’re including extra to your craft,” Smith-Schuster mentioned. “12 months two, one of the best 12 months I had as a Pittsburgh Steeler, I used to be enjoying extra outdoors than inside. It simply provides one other risk, and with Ben, you don’t know the place the ball’s going to go.”
Smith-Schuster set profession marks with 111 receptions and 1,426 yards in 2018. Final season, he ranked fifth within the AFC and ninth within the NFL with 97 catches. Smith-Schuster, who completed with 831 yards, was tied for fourth within the convention and ninth within the league with a career-best 9 touchdowns. He ranked second within the NFL in third-down receptions, and was tied for second in third-down catches that resulted in a primary down.
“I attempt to lead by instance with motion,” Smith-Schuster mentioned. “I don’t say a complete lot, and if I do, it’s uncommon. I’ll let that as much as Ben and a number of the different guys to talk for the crew.”
Smith-Schuster nonetheless leads a large receiver group that may be a power of the offense. Roethlisberger will play his 18th season behind a revamped offensive line, because the Steelers search to enhance a run sport, which completed final within the NFL in yards dashing in 2020.
“We’ve some weapons and the chemistry is already there,” Smith-Schuster mentioned of the receivers. “We’ve had guys which have been on the crew two or three years now.”
Diontae Johnson led the crew final season with 923 receiving yards, whereas Chase Claypool established league and franchise receiving data as a rookie. James Washington is a former second-round decide, tight finish Eric Ebron caught 5 touchdowns and Ray-Ray McCloud was additionally a particular groups’ ace, rating top-10 within the league in kickoff and punt return common.
Claypool mentioned Smith-Schuster performed a major position in his improvement.
“JuJu seems to be nice, and he’s getting higher yearly,” Claypool mentioned. “He’s chief, he’s a humorous dude and he’s relatable. I lean on him at any time when I would like snort or a bit of recommendation.”
Smith-Schuster seems to be to proceed and evolve in his fifth NFL season and make one other impression through the offseason in free company.
“I’ve to play my butt off as a result of I don’t know what’s going to occur subsequent season,” Smith-Schuster mentioned.
___
Extra AP NFL protection: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
[ad_2]
Source link
