JuJu Smith-Schuster Takes Less Money to Return to Pittsburgh on One-Year Deal

Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year, $8 million deal.

Smith-Schuster, according to multiple reports, turned down offers from both the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens to remain with the Steelers.

NFL Network’s Taylor Bisciotti reports Baltimore offered Smith-Schuster $9 million with an additional $4 million in incentives, while Kansas City offered a slightly lower $8 million and $3 million in incentives.

JuJu to the #Steelers on a 1-year worth $8M, source said. He had better offers from the #Ravens and the #Chiefs. But stays in PIT. https://t.co/Kz9aaR1srN

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 19, 2021

While Baltimore’s offer was more lucrative, Smith-Schuster opted to take less money than flip to the division rival.

Adding even more intrigue to Friday’s bombshell, ESPN’s Dianna Russini reports the Steelers gave Smith-Schuster a hard deadline of today to make his decision.

Steelers gave him a deadline to decide today, per source. https://t.co/utA2AEYa93

— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 19, 2021

Smith-Schuster confirmed the news himself Friday, tweeting a popular video clip from The Wolf of Wall Street signifying that he is in fact not leaving Pittsburgh.

This is my home, they’re gonna need a wrecking ball to take me outta here! PITTSBURGH I LOVE YOU, LET’S GO!!!!! 💛🖤💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/SPFvCLUmFl

— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) March 19, 2021

“Can’t say it enough, I love you Pittsburgh,” Smith-Schuster said in a follow-up Tweet. “Came in here a young 20-year-old and you guys embraced me from the moment I got here. So much love. Had my back thru everything, all the struggles and success. So hard to leave. See you this fall in Heinz. WE’RE GOIN CRAZY!!!”

Smith-Schuster paced the Steelers with 97 receptions in 2020, while also recording 831 yards and nine touchdowns. Selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Southern California, Smith-Schuster has 293 receptions, 3,565 yards and 24 touchdowns over his Steeler career. He was selected to his first and only Pro Bowl in 2018.