5 Players the Steelers should keep in free agency
By Edward Hunt
JuJu Smith-Schuster
JuJu took a risk and it backfired for him. He injured his shoulder and now he is out for the year. He took less money to help the Steelers win and it totally backfired on JuJu. Now he will be a free agent and I think the best situation for both sides is that JuJu Smith-Schuster come back to the Steelers on a one-year deal and prove himself again.
From a team perspective, it is worth shelling out 5-6 million for JuJu to be the Steeler’s slot receiver. I think, Diontae Johnson has proven that he can be an x receiver for the Steelers and Claypool can be an excellent z receiver. That leaves the slot open for JuJu to be a matchup nightmare.
I do acknowledge that the Steelers switch around and fit is not the only reason to keep JuJu. It would also be nice to have a core receiver back; so, that the Steelers will have time to draft and groom a replacement for JuJu.
Obviously, JuJu’s personality and leadership will not be missed especially when they will potentially lose longtime veteran QB Ben Roethlisberger. This team will be looking for veterans with a young offensive line, tight end (Pat Frieremuth), and running back in Najee Harris. The quarterback position will also need some leadership as Mason Rudolph might be the veteran in that room.
There is a chance that JuJu Smith-Schuster takes the hometown discount and stays with the Steelers. I have hypothesized before that there might be an incentive for JuJu to stick with his brand as a Pittsburgh Steeler as he has an unusually large following on social media.