Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster: Pittsburgh ‘Part of Who I Am’

With the start of free agency just a day away, JuJu Smith-Schuster expressed his love for the City of Pittsburgh.

The 24-year-old receiver tweeted a message to Steelers fans on Sunday, expressing his love for his time in Pittsburgh.

No matter what happens this week, if I’m back or if I’m somewhere else, just know that I will never see Pittsburgh as just 4 yrs of my life, but a part of who I am. I’ll always carry that tough, blue collar spirit for the rest of my life. I LOVE YOU PITTSBURGH #412 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/BIJCUDNbQQ

— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) March 14, 2021

With the Steelers up against the salary cap and Smith-Schuster set to be one of the top wide receivers on the market, he’s expected to be allowed to test free agency for the first time in his career. The legal contact period for free agents begins on Monday at noon

Due to the Steelers depth at the receiver position and other higher priority needs, it always seemed likely the USC product, who the Steelers drafted in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, would be playing for another team come the 2021 season.

The Las Vegas Raiders have recently emerged as a favorite to sign the young receiver. The New York Jets (+250), Indianapolis Colts (+500) and Chicago Bears (+650) have the next best odds. The Steelers don’t even make the list of the eight most likely destinations.

In his four seasons in Pittsburgh, Smith-Schuster has totaled 308 receptions, 3,726 yards and 27 touchdowns. Despite solid overall numbers, his production greatly diminished over the last two seasons since moving into the number one position on the depth chart upon the controversial exit of former teammate Antonio Brown.

While pacing the Steelers with 97 receptions in 2020, he only recorded 831 yards.