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PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took a voluntary pay minimize throughout the offseason.
Roethlisberger’s restructured deal helped the Steelers unencumber sufficient cash to steer huge receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to return to the staff on a one-year deal. Smith-Schuster determined to remain in Pittsburgh fairly than go away in free company, citing a way of loyalty.
“For me, I believe 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 superb quarterback, and he might be for the subsequent decade, however I believe 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 a fantastic offense, with the ability to play with Tyreek (Hill) and Travis (Kelce), however on the finish of the day, I’ve to do what’s greatest for me, and that’s staying house. It makes all the things simpler on me going into subsequent yr, and subsequent yr’s free company is quite a bit higher.”
Smith-Schuster, who signed an $8 million deal, mentioned that staying in Pittsburgh additionally makes monetary sense. The wage cap is anticipated to take a big leap subsequent yr after taking place in 2021. Smith-Schuster mentioned that there may very well be extra profitable alternatives if he hits the open market subsequent spring. He hasn’t dominated out a long-term return to Pittsburgh, both.
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