JuJu Smith-Schuster

Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has agreed to a one-year, $10.75 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, according to ESPN's Field Yates. 

Smith-Schuster announced on Twitter that he is headed to Kansas City and he also penned a goodbye statement to Pittsburgh: 

Smith-Schuster missed the majority of the 2021 season after undergoing surgery on his dislocated shoulder in October. He appeared in the team's first five games of the season and didn't return until Pittsburgh's AFC Wild Card Round matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, a game in which he had five catches for 26 yards in a 42-21 loss. 

Smith-Schuster had been a staple in Pittsburgh's offense since being selected in the second round of the 2017 draft. In 63 career games, he has 323 catches for 3,855 yards and 26 touchdowns across five seasons.

The 25-year-old's best season came in 2018 when he caught a career-high 111 passes for 1,426 yards, in addition to seven touchdowns.

Smith-Schuster initially became a free agent after the 2020 season and generated interest from the Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. He ultimately re-signed with the Steelers on a one-year, $8 million deal. 

Smith-Schuster had been vocal about wanting to remain with the Steelers in the past. He said in an Instagram post after the team's AFC Wild Card Round loss to the Chiefs that he would like to remain with the franchise:

I’ve said it before and have the same stance: I’d love to be Pittsburgh for life. I hope we can make that happen this offseason and I want to be a part of this franchise’s return to glory. It’s not a matter of if, but when, and I hope I’m wearing the black and gold, celebrating a Super Bowl with these fans, when it happens. Love you guys.

Pro Football Network's Aaron Wilson reported in January that Smith-Schuster had interest in joining the Chiefs after nearly signing with the franchise last season, so it should come as no surprise that he ended up there. 

With Smith-Schuster on board, Kansas City's depth gets even better out wide. He'll join Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, Josh Gordon and tight end Travis Kelce as top targets for Patrick Mahomes. 

With Smith-Schuster now off to the Chiefs, the Steelers will need to focus on rejuvenating their receiving corps this offseason. Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool will highlight the group in 2022, unless an addition is made. 

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster reportedly has interest in signing with the Kansas City Chiefs when he becomes a free agent this offseason.

According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, Smith-Schuster nearly signed with the Chiefs last offseason, and he is expected to be in the mix for KC again during the upcoming free-agent period.

Wilson noted that instead of signing a one-year, $8 million contract with $3 million in incentives with the Chiefs last season, Smith-Schuster signed a one-year, $8 million deal to remain with the Steelers in 2021.

Smith-Schuster appeared in just five games during the 2021 regular season because of a shoulder injury, finishing with 15 receptions for 129 yards and no touchdowns.

While it was considered a long shot for him to play at all for the remainder of the season, he managed to make it back for the Steelers' AFC Wild Card Round playoff game against the Chiefs, registering five catches for 26 yards in a loss.

Ben Roethlisberger is the only regular starting quarterback Smith-Schuster has known throughout his career, but with Big Ben likely set to retire, it may be the ideal time for the receiver to move on as well.

The 2017 second-round pick out of USC had some great moments with Roethlisberger, including setting career highs with 111 receptions for 1,426 yards in 2018.

He also set a career high with nine touchdown catches in 2020 to go along with 97 receptions for 831 yards. 

Smith-Schuster was a downfield threat who averaged 13.7 yards per reception in his first three seasons, but his game has since evolved.

With Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool playing more outside, Smith-Schuster began operating primarily out of the slot, making him a high-volume, low yards-per-catch wideout in 2020.

He was trending in that direction in 2021 as well before getting injured, matching his 2020 mark with just 8.6 yards per catch.

Given that the Chiefs have some explosive weapons in wide receivers Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman and Byron Pringle, as well as tight end Travis Kelce, quarterback Patrick Mahomes could benefit from a wideout of JuJu's ilk.

Additionally, both Pringle and Demarcus Robinson are set to become free agents this offseason, meaning Kansas City may need to replace their production.

Smith-Schuster is still just 25 years of age with plenty of football left ahead of him, and landing with an elite offense like the Chiefs could go a long way toward boosting his production and putting him in position for a big contract with Kansas City or another team in the future.

Ben Roethlisberger likely played his final game for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, but JuJu Smith-Schuster is holding out hope he comes back for the 2022 season.

"He has it all. I think Ben's still got it, honestly," Smith-Schuster told reporters after Sunday's 42-21 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. "After this, I'm gonna go see Ben and go, 'Hey man, what's up? You coming back next year?' All the receivers, all the guys are trying to get him to come back. His journey, his future, is in his hands. I just wish him the best."

Roethlisberger has been widely expected to retire after the 2021 season, though he has not publicly disclosed his plans. He signed a one-year contract with the Steelers last offseason that hinted at one last go-around and then told reporters he is "looking forward" to what's next after the loss to Kansas City.

"As we move from one chapter to the next, it's gonna be different, but it's gonna be fun and a new challenge, and I'm looking forward to it," Roethlisberger said.

Roethlisberger ranks fifth in NFL history in passing yards (64,088) and eighth in passing touchdowns (418). His 13 playoff wins are tied with Brett Favre for sixth on the all-time list, and the Steelers won two Super Bowls with him at the helm.

Smith-Schuster may also be departing Pittsburgh this offseason after his one-year, $8 million contract expired. The slot wideout explored free agency last year before taking a short-term contract in hopes of boosting his stock, but a shoulder injury limited him to just five games.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason, but he would like to stay with the only NFL team he has ever known.

He told reporters it would "be nice to stay here for another four years," following Sunday's 42-21 playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

It is a testament to the USC product's toughness that he was even on the field Sunday, as he was expected to miss the rest of the season after he suffered a shoulder injury during an Oct. 10 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Instead, he rehabbed his way back to a point he was able to be activated from injured reserve.

"God answered my prayers & I've recovered from my season-ending shoulder injury earlier than expected," he tweeted before the game. "I can't believe I get another chance to take the field with this team and play in a playoff game to keep our season alive."

He ultimately wasn't much of a factor with five catches for 26 yards, and Pittsburgh's entire offense struggled until the game was all but over. In fact, the offense had just two first downs to go with seven punts at halftime and was unable to find the end zone until after it fell behind 35-7 in the third quarter.

Smith-Schuster's free agency will be an intriguing one to follow this offseason.

On the one hand, he is just 25 years old and isn't that far removed from a dominant 2018 campaign that saw him finish with 111 catches for 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns. On the other hand, he has never been able to replicate that production since and appeared in just five games in 2021.

He is also probably behind Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool on the wide receiver depth chart, and they are both under contract for the 2022 campaign. Throw in tight end Pat Freiermuth and running back Najee Harris, who are both rookies, and there is no shortage of offensive weapons in Pittsburgh.

Yet Smith-Schuster wants to sign a long-term deal with the team that took a chance on him in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft.      

The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting healthier ahead of Sunday's playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who has not played since Oct. 10, tweeted the following: "God answered my prayers & I've recovered from my season-ending shoulder injury earlier than expected. I can't believe I get another chance to take the field with this team and play in a playoff game to keep our season alive."

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network noted Smith-Schuster was activated from injured reserve and should take the field Sunday.

Smith-Schuster suffered the shoulder injury during a loss to the Denver Broncos and was not expected to return this season.

However, the fact that Pittsburgh snuck into the playoffs thanks to its own victory over the Baltimore Ravens combined with the Indianapolis Colts' loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers' loss to the Las Vegas Raiders gave him more time to recover.

He isn't the only one who will be on the field despite a previous injury designation, as the Steelers announced running back Najee Harris will play and is no longer questionable despite concerns about his elbow.

Smith-Schuster appeared in five games this season and finished with 15 catches for 129 yards.

It was a far cry from the 2018 campaign, when he posted 111 catches for 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns and appeared well on his way to becoming one of the best receivers in the league since that was just his second season.

He has been unable to replicate that production since, although he did have a career-best nine touchdowns in 2020.

Pittsburgh will still have a difficult time winning in Kansas City against Patrick Mahomes and Co. but Ben Roethlisberger will at least have Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and Smith-Schuster to throw to in addition to Harris coming out of the backfield.

The visitors will need all those weapons to play well and keep pace with the Chiefs.            

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster reportedly has a good chance to play in Sunday's AFC Wild Card Round game against the Kansas City Chiefs after missing the final 12 games of the regular season with a shoulder injury.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Smith-Schuster had "no issues at all" after practicing Thursday and is "trending toward playing" Sunday.

Smith-Schuster was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return after getting injured in Week 5, and it now looks like he will be on the field for what could be quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's final NFL game.

The 25-year-old wideout appeared in five games before getting injured this season, registering 15 receptions for 129 yards and no touchdowns, primarily out of the slot.

Since Smith-Schuster got injured, Ray-Ray McCloud has largely stepped into the slot role, supporting outside receivers Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool.

McCloud has become one of Roethlisberger's favorite targets with 39 receptions for 277 yards, meaning he could maintain an offensive role even with Smith-Schuster back in the lineup.

Smith-Schuster was originally a second-round draft pick out of USC in 2017, and it looked like he was going to be a star as an outside receiver.

In just his second season, he set career highs with 111 receptions for 1,426 yards to go along with seven touchdowns en route to his first and only Pro Bowl appearance.

Smith-Schuster has struggled to return to that level of production, though, dropping off to 42 grabs for 552 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games in 2019, and 97 receptions for 831 yards last season, although he did set a new career high with nine touchdowns.

Even if he isn't as explosive as he was earlier in his career, there is no question Smith-Schuster is a favorite and trusted target of Big Ben, so he could have a fairly substantial role in Sunday's game.

Roethlisberger isn't likely to make big plays in the passing game, but Pittsburgh has a chance for success against the Chiefs if he can nickel and dime them by moving the chains—and that is an area in which Smith-Schuster excels.

If Smith-Schuster does play, Roethlisberger will have a full allotment of weapons, including Smith-Schuster, Johnson, Claypool and McCloud at receiver, Pat Freiermuth at tight end and Najee Harris at running back.

Kansas City will be heavily favored regardless after reaching the Super Bowl in back-to-back years. However, facing a Steelers team that is close to full strength should make things tougher for the Chiefs.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster returned to practice Thursday ahead of the team's NFL playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. 

Smith-Schuster remains on injured reserve, though, so his status for the contest is unclear. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the wideout is "healthy enough to play" but the team currently does not plan on him playing this weekend.

The 2018 Pro Bowler hasn't suited up since a 27-19 victory over the Denver Broncos on Oct. 10.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Oct. 11 that Smith-Schuster had suffered a dislocated shoulder in that game and would be out for around four months after undergoing surgery. It appeared his 2021 season was essentially over. 

With Thursday's news, the Steelers have 21 days to add Smith-Schuster to the active roster, or he'll revert back to injured reserve.

The 25-year-old has seen his stock dip in recent seasons. He caught 111 passes for 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns in 2018. Between 2019 and 2020, though, he had 139 receptions, 1,383 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

The trend was continuing into 2021, with Smith-Schuster on pace (15 receptions, 129 yards in five games) to set career lows.

But Pittsburgh needs all the help it can get in the wild-card round. The Steelers are 12.5-point underdogs at DraftKings Sportsbook.

It's probably not a coincidence that Ben Roethlisberger's two worst months this season in terms of passing yardage were December (212.8) and January (183.5). Having Smith-Schuster available again would at least give the 39-year-old Roethlisberger another option in the passing game.

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