JuJu Smith-Schuster’s free agency failed miserably.
He was expected to receive $ 12 to $ 16 million per season on a multi-year contract. Instead, he returned to Pittsburgh on a $ 8 million one-year deal.
Reports say Smith-Schuster received an offer for more money from Baltimore and Kansas City, and more years and more money from Philadelphia, but came back because he loves Pittsburgh.
But if Smith-Schuster loves Pittsburgh so much, he could have struck a deal to stay months ago, saving himself from the embarrassment of the free agency. If he could have been paid more to play with top teams and better defenders in Baltimore and Kansas City, but declined, he is an idiot. These could have been better launching platforms for your next free agency.
Unless he is Ben Roethlisberger’s No. 1 target in 2021. But Smith-Schuster did not go last season, and he averaged 8.6 yards per catch. That’s why he got what he got.
Therefore, it is difficult to believe that Smith-Schuster “chose” the Steelers for any reason other than that they made the best offer. It is also hard to believe that he stays longer with the Steelers than with Roethlisberger.
Smith-Schuster expected a lot of money and did not get it. This is absolutely true.
It is also true that the Steelers made a mistake in bringing it back.
Steelers must cut or trade cornerback Steven Nelson. This news was released almost at the same time that Smith-Schuster re-signed. The Smith-Schuster ceiling is greatly diluted in nullable years, so its maximum value ($ 2.4 million) and Nelson’s ($ 8.25 million) do not match. But the timing of both movements makes it easy to think that they are at least slightly connected.
The Steelers lost four regulars in defense: Nose tackle Tyson Alualu, edge rusher Bud Dupree, slot corner Mike Hilton and internal linebacker Vince Williams. Nelson would make five.
This is a lot to lose with the strength of the team, although the main game creators are still there: internal linebacker Devin Bush, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, defensive sides Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt and edge rusher TJ Watt. This is more than enough for a good unit.
But the cornerback is now a concern. Cam Sutton is no longer squad number 4 to begin with, and Justin Layne goes from just one player to a regular. (These functions can be reversed.)
The offensive line, as currently assembled, has the potential to be one of the worst in the NFL. The most trusted member looks like Kevin Dotson, a fourth-round pick chosen from a Division I FBS school that has just completed its debut season.
The Smith-Schuster roof hit, as mentioned earlier, is diluted in annulable years.
But voidable years can be applied to any contract. This money could have been spent in a similar way in a position of greatest need.
It would always be impossible to retain Dupree. But the Steelers would be better off with (choose one) Alualu, Hilton or Nelson instead of Smith-Schuster. The Steelers have three other very capable wide receivers: Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and James Washington. The tight end Eric Ebron is a wide receiver indeed, as evidenced by his lack of interest in blocking.
So what happened? This is a horrible list management. Why did the Steelers decide what to do? Why is retaining a slightly above average performer in a deep position more important than maintaining important defensive components?
Two possibilities come to mind:
• Ownership and management suck at Smith-Schuster’s charisma and popularity, and his appeal to the TikTok generation.
• GM Ben got what he wanted.
Here’s betting on the last one. Even as a lame duck, Roethlisberger seems to have a big influence.
What is the next? Perhaps friend Alejandro Villanueva will get up again. (This is a military term.) Maybe Roethlisberger takes all the shots out of the shotgun. He can lead the league in passing attempts once again. The game action will be completely eliminated from the manual.
What happened to the Steelers? They used to operate with this cold, calculating logic.
Of course, they also used to win playoff games. Now, they are the dancing team.
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Mark Madden columns | Sports | Steelers / NFL