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7 Pittsburgh Steelers players that won’t be back in 2022

By Ryan Pawloski

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 celebrates his two point conversion attempt with James Washington #13 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Heinz Field on September 27, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 celebrates his two point conversion attempt with James Washington #13 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Heinz Field on September 27, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Steelers JuJu Smith-Schuster, Wide receiver

JuJu Smith-Schuster has been a fan favorite ever since he was drafted out of USC. He was a young kid that rode his bicycle everywhere around the city. The fans saw him mature from bike to car but they also saw him mature as a person.

The kid was forced to mature as he became the young leader of the receiving group. He was still younger than most of them entering the league but he became the guy that they turned to with his experience. It has been an up and down career for Smith-Schuster but one the fans will never forget.

He brought back some Hines Ward vibes that Steelers fans desperately want to see. He is physical and reliable as a receiver. He brings a different aspect that no one else in that positional group brings to this team. He almost left the franchise last year in free agency before some cap space was found.

It is not common for Pittsburgh to offer their receivers a second contract unless they see them as irreplaceable. Their track record with drafting and developing the position also plays into that mindset of not paying receivers. It will be tough to say goodbye, especially with how his final season in the Steel City happened.

The injury that occurred earlier this year was tough to watch. He was sidelined with a shoulder injury that cut his final season in this city short. It’s possible he can come back but that possibility is very low. It is time for these two to move on from each other.

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