5 biggest wide receiver contracts in Pittsburgh Steelers history

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some impressive wide receivers throughout their storied history. Over the years, the front office has dished out some massive contracts at the position.

Though these deals looked enormous at the time, some of these receiver contracts seem like pennies compared to the going rate of top NFL receivers these days. With the salary cap increasing significantly each year, other receivers will continue to leapfrog the names on this list.

There are several ways to gauge the value of contracts. Some folks look at the total value of the contract while others point to guaranteed money. For this list, I've ranked the biggest contracts in Pittsburgh Steelers history based on average yearly value.

5. JuJu Smith-Schuster, 2021 (1 year, $8 million)

After his first two seasons in the NFL, it looked like JuJu Smith-Schuster was going to have a record-setting payday on the horizon. The 2017 second-round pick compiled over 2,300 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first two seasons. This included a Pro Bowl season in 2018 when JuJu went off for 111 catches, 1,426 yards, and 7 touchdowns.

Unfortunately, Smith-Schuster's performance came crashing back down to earth. Over the next three seasons, JuJu dealt with nagging injuries, and his efficiency dipped significantly. Following the 2020 season, the Steelers handed their starting receiver a one-year, $8 million contract for 2021.

This proved to be a bad investment, as JuJu recorded just 129 yards in 5 games on a dismal 4.6 yards per target. He departed for Kansas City the following offseason.

4. Hines Ward, 2005 (5 years, $27.5 million)

Back in 2005, a five-year contract worth $27.5 million was a lot to dish out to a wide receiver. However, this was an easy choice for the Steelers. Hines Ward was coming off four straight Pro Bowl seasons in which he topped 1,000 receiving yards each year. The gritty wide receiver also put up 30 receiving touchdowns during this span.

Though Ward wasn't quite as productive after receiving this deal, he was still an integral part of the offense. The Steelers would go on to win two Super Bowls in the four seasons after Ward signed his contract.

3. Antonio Brown, 2012 (5 years, $41.96 million)

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a decision to make during the 2012 offseason. After trying to extend WR Mike Wallace, the speedster decided to hit the free-agent market. Not wanting to be left shorthanded, the Steelers instead extended the contract of 2010 sixth-round pick, Antonio Brown.

In no time, Brown grossly outplayed his roughly $8.4 million per year average on his new deal -- beginning with a 110-catch, 1,499-yard season in 2013. He would go on to have one of the most productive spans for a wide receiver in the history of the NFL.

2. Diontae Johnson, 2022 (2 years, $36.71 million)

While nobody would call Diontae Johnson a top-five wide receiver in Steelers history, this goes to show you just how much the NFL salary cap has gone up over the years. After earning the lion's share of the targets in his first three seasons with the team, the 2019 third-round pick received a two-year, $36.71 million extension during the 2022 offseason.

Fans debated whether or not handing over $18 million per year to Johnson was the right choice. Unfortunately, Johnson's production dipped in 2022 and he saw the worst season of his Steelers career in 2023 before being traded to the Carolina Panthers during the 2024 offseason.

1. Antonio Brown, 2017 (4 years, $68 million)

As much value as the Steelers received in their first Antonio Brown contract extension in 2012, they received the opposite with his lucrative deal in 2017. Brown was 29 years old when he agreed to sign a four-year, $68 million deal with Pittsburgh.

Though he did give the Steelers two more good seasons, Pittsburgh never saw Brown play out the second half of his contract. The talented wide receiver forced his way out the door during the 2019 offseason and the Steelers were forced to trade him to the Raiders for only a third-round pick while taking a dead money cap hit in the process.

All contract numbers courtesy of Over the Cap.