In an unexpected turn of events, wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster will continue playing football in Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old player confirmed the news on social media on Friday.

The Steelers allowed Smith-Schuster to hit the free agency this offseason, and reports from within the organization indicated that they already made peace with his exit. But the player’s willingness to take less money to stay ended up changing the team’s course.

Smith-Schuster had an underwhelming 2020 campaign, managing 97 catches for 831 yards and nine touchdowns as the Steelers No. 1 receiver. Despite this, he received a lot of interest in free agency and reportedly had strong offers from the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, and Philadelphia Eagles.

The Ravens, who are the Steelers’ divisional rivals, offered Smith-Schuster contract that could earn him $13 million ($9 million guaranteed and $4 million in incentives) in 2021, while the Chiefs were willing to go up to $8 million in guarantees and add $3 million in incentives for one year. The Eagles, on the other hand, offered a multi-year agreement.

Pittsburgh ended up offering the least money compared to all other teams, putting $7.5 million on the table at first and then increasing the bid to $8 million. This was enough, however, as Smith-Schuster didn’t mind taking several million less to make another run with Ben Roethlisberger.

Smith-Schuster caught 308 passes for 3,726 yards and 27 touchdowns since becoming the Steelers’ second-round pick in 2017.

The post JuJu Smith-Schuster Reportedly Takes Less Money to Stay in Pittsburgh appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Pittsburgh Steelers wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster is one of those players who likes to stick with a team his entire career, and we respect that.

He entered the offseason a free agent, and some people wondered if his future may involve other teams. But now it’s clear to us that if he had the choice, he wouldn’t be going anywhere.

Smith-Schuster revealed his thoughts on the matter in an interview with TMZ: “At the end of the day, I want to have my legacy in Pittsburgh and retire there. I don’t want to leave.”

However, just because this is want he wants, doesn’t mean that’s what he’s going to get. These issues are rarely simple, with money and team needs playing a huge part.

Indeed, the Steelers don’t have the greatest salary cap situation right now, and they may find Smith-Schuster’s contract to be too big of a pill to swallow right now.

In order for Smith-Schuster to get his wish and stay in Pittsburgh, he may have to take a pay-cut. The question is, will he be willing to do that just to retire a Steeler?

The post JuJu Smith-Schuster Wants to Retire With the Steelers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Pittsburgh Steelers will have to continue their playoff push without one of their key players. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Steelers’ Pro Bowl wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster aggravated his knee injury, which will cause him to miss more games, including Week 15 matchup against Buffalo Bills.

Smith-Schuster missed the previous three games with a knee injury before returning to practice on Wednesday. This return didn’t go as planned, as the 23-year-old re-injured himself. He was a limited participant on Thursday’s practice.

JuJu Smith-Schuster has seen his numbers drop this season compared to 2018, as opponents’ defenses started to double him more often. In 10 games he played in 2019, he made 38 catches for 524 yards and three touchdowns. He also managed to reach 100+ receiving yards just once.

The good news for Pittsburgh Steelers is that their starting running back James Conner is healthy after also missing three previous games. Conner was dealing with a shoulder injury.

“I just want to be out there competing,” said Conner after Thursday’s practice. “These games are crucial, they are critical for us in the position we are in. We are just trying to control our own destiny.”

Steelers are currently in the second spot of AFC North with 8-5 record and hold the second wild card in their conference. Behind them are Tennessee Titans with the same record, but Pittsburgh holds the tie-breaker because of the better conference record.

The post Steelers’ WR JuJu Smith-Schuster to Miss More Games After Aggravating Knee Injury appeared first on SportzBonanza.

In an unexpected turn of events, wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster will continue playing football in Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old player confirmed the news on social media on Friday.

The Steelers allowed Smith-Schuster to hit the free agency this offseason, and reports from within the organization indicated that they already made peace with his exit. But the player’s willingness to take less money to stay ended up changing the team’s course.

Smith-Schuster had an underwhelming 2020 campaign, managing 97 catches for 831 yards and nine touchdowns as the Steelers No. 1 receiver. Despite this, he received a lot of interest in free agency and reportedly had strong offers from the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, and Philadelphia Eagles.

The Ravens, who are the Steelers’ divisional rivals, offered Smith-Schuster contract that could earn him $13 million ($9 million guaranteed and $4 million in incentives) in 2021, while the Chiefs were willing to go up to $8 million in guarantees and add $3 million in incentives for one year. The Eagles, on the other hand, offered a multi-year agreement.

Pittsburgh ended up offering the least money compared to all other teams, putting $7.5 million on the table at first and then increasing the bid to $8 million. This was enough, however, as Smith-Schuster didn’t mind taking several million less to make another run with Ben Roethlisberger.

Smith-Schuster caught 308 passes for 3,726 yards and 27 touchdowns since becoming the Steelers’ second-round pick in 2017.

The post JuJu Smith-Schuster Reportedly Takes Less Money to Stay in Pittsburgh appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Pittsburgh Steelers wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster is one of those players who likes to stick with a team his entire career, and we respect that.

He entered the offseason a free agent, and some people wondered if his future may involve other teams. But now it’s clear to us that if he had the choice, he wouldn’t be going anywhere.

Smith-Schuster revealed his thoughts on the matter in an interview with TMZ: “At the end of the day, I want to have my legacy in Pittsburgh and retire there. I don’t want to leave.”

However, just because this is want he wants, doesn’t mean that’s what he’s going to get. These issues are rarely simple, with money and team needs playing a huge part.

Indeed, the Steelers don’t have the greatest salary cap situation right now, and they may find Smith-Schuster’s contract to be too big of a pill to swallow right now.

In order for Smith-Schuster to get his wish and stay in Pittsburgh, he may have to take a pay-cut. The question is, will he be willing to do that just to retire a Steeler?

The post JuJu Smith-Schuster Wants to Retire With the Steelers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Pittsburgh Steelers will have to continue their playoff push without one of their key players. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Steelers’ Pro Bowl wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster aggravated his knee injury, which will cause him to miss more games, including Week 15 matchup against Buffalo Bills.

Smith-Schuster missed the previous three games with a knee injury before returning to practice on Wednesday. This return didn’t go as planned, as the 23-year-old re-injured himself. He was a limited participant on Thursday’s practice.

JuJu Smith-Schuster has seen his numbers drop this season compared to 2018, as opponents’ defenses started to double him more often. In 10 games he played in 2019, he made 38 catches for 524 yards and three touchdowns. He also managed to reach 100+ receiving yards just once.

The good news for Pittsburgh Steelers is that their starting running back James Conner is healthy after also missing three previous games. Conner was dealing with a shoulder injury.

“I just want to be out there competing,” said Conner after Thursday’s practice. “These games are crucial, they are critical for us in the position we are in. We are just trying to control our own destiny.”

Steelers are currently in the second spot of AFC North with 8-5 record and hold the second wild card in their conference. Behind them are Tennessee Titans with the same record, but Pittsburgh holds the tie-breaker because of the better conference record.

The post Steelers’ WR JuJu Smith-Schuster to Miss More Games After Aggravating Knee Injury appeared first on SportzBonanza.