Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster very likely to test free agency

The Pittsburgh Steelers have ample salary-cap space this offseason, but retaining wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster may not be an option in 2022. 

JuJu Smith-Schuster has been a fan-favorite in Pittsburgh since entering the league in 2017, but we all knew this day was coming. Early in his NFL career, JuJu looked like a player this team would certainly sign to a long-term deal and maybe become one of the rare players to stay with one team his whole career.

Sadly, the chances of something like that happening now seem remarkably low. Smith-Schuster’s production and efficiency over the past few years have hit rock bottom, and the team has at least one option in the passing game who they clearly find more valuable in Diontae Johnson.

This certainly doesn’t mean that JuJu is a bad player. His target quality has been poor and he’s had some unfortunate injury luck over the past three seasons. Ultimately, however, I’m sure he understands that the best chance of reviving his otherwise fallen career would be with a fresh start on a new team — preferably one that already has an established offense with a quality quarterback who will be around for a long time.

Recently, Cowboys reporter Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reported that JuJu Smith-Schuster is “most likely” headed for free agency. JuJu went on to praise Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, saying, “He’s a great quarterback. Catching balls from him in a facility like this, I wouldn’t mind it.”

Why JuJu won’t return to the Steelers

I don’t doubt JuJu’s love for the city of Pittsburgh. I believe that it is genuine and he has shown that time and again. However, I think he’s well aware of the situation he would be stepping back into if he decided to return, and there’s no guarantee his circumstances get better anytime soon.

Regardless of who the next quarterback is for the Steelers, I would have to assume that Johnson would still be his go-to guy, thanks to his innate ability to create separation before the catch. It’s also possible that Pittsburgh’s next QB prefers receiving options like Chase Claypool and Pat Freiermuth as opposed to using JuJu in the short passing game.

What’s best for JuJu’s career is going to an established team where he can thrive with a great QB — preferably in a high-powered offense where he can be the WR2.

I think somewhere like Kansas City would be excellent for his career. He would have speedy wide receivers on the outside that stretch the field and he could work with tons of space over the middle — allowing him to do what he does best, which is running after the catch.

While JuJu probably wouldn’t be peppered with targets on an offense that already has elite weapons like this, his target quality and efficiency would improve by leaps and bounds. Thus, if he decides to take a one-year deal from a team like this, he could improve his value immensely in the following free agency period in 2023. After all, he’s still just 25 years old.

Essentially, JuJu Smith-Schuster (with the help of his agent) will dictate his own landing spot at this point, and he’s clearly not worth using the pricey franchise tag for the Steelers to try to retain him. We wish him the best of luck in the future, but JuJu is very unlikely to return to Pittsburgh in 2022.