JuJu Smith-Schuster’s free agency failed miserably.
He was expected to get $12-$16 million per season on a multi-year deal. Instead, he returned to Pittsburgh on a one-year deal worth $8 million.
Reports say Smith-Schuster was offered more money by Baltimore and Kansas City, and more years and more money by Philadelphia, but returned because he loves Pittsburgh.
But if Smith-Schuster loves Pittsburgh so much, he could have finalized a deal to stay months ago, sparing himself the embarrassment of free agency. If he could have been paid more to play with superior teams and better quarterbacks in Baltimore and Kansas City but nixed it, he’s a fool. Those could have been better launch pads to his next free agency.
Unless he’s Ben Roethlisberger’s No. 1 target in 2021. But Smith-Schuster wasn’t last season, and he averaged a picayune 8.6 yards per catch. That’s why he got what he got.
So, it’s tough to believe Smith-Schuster “chose” the Steelers for any reason besides them making the best offer. It’s also tough to believe he stays with the Steelers longer than Roethlisberger.
Smith-Schuster expected huge money and didn’t get it. That much is absolutely certain.
It’s also certain that the Steelers made a mistake bringing him back.
The Steelers are likely to cut or trade cornerback Steven Nelson. That news broke at about the same time that Smith-Schuster re-signed. Smith-Schuster’s cap hit is diluted greatly via voidable years, so his cap figure ($2.4 million) and Nelson’s ($8.25 million) don’t match. But the timing of both moves makes it easy to think they are at least slightly connected.
The Steelers have lost four regulars on defense: Nose tackle Tyson Alualu, edge rusher Bud Dupree, slot corner Mike Hilton and inside linebacker Vince Williams. Nelson would make five.
That’s a lot to lose from the team’s strength, though the primary playmakers are still there: Inside linebacker Devin Bush, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, defensive ends Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt and edge rusher T.J. Watt. That’s more than enough to field a good unit.
But cornerback is now a concern. Cam Sutton goes from being the No. 4 corner to starting, and Justin Layne goes from barely playing to being a regular. (Those roles could be reversed.)
The offensive line, as currently assembled, has potential to be one of the NFL’s worst. The most reliable member seems Kevin Dotson, a fourth-round pick drafted from a Division I FBS school who just completed his rookie season.
Smith-Schuster’s cap hit, as previously mentioned, is diluted by voidable years.
But voidable years can be applied to any contract. That money could have been similarly spent at a position of greater need.
Dupree was always going to be impossible to retain. But the Steelers would be better off with (pick one) Alualu, Hilton or Nelson instead of Smith-Schuster. The Steelers have three other very capable wide receivers in Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and James Washington. Tight end Eric Ebron is a de facto wide receiver, as evidenced by him having no interest in blocking.
So, what happened? This is horrific roster management. Why did the Steelers decide what they did? Why is retaining a slightly above-average performer at a position of depth more important than keeping important defensive components?
Two possibilities jump to mind:
• Ownership and management are suckers for Smith-Schuster’s charisma and popularity, and his appeal to the TikTok generation.
• GM Ben got his way.
Here’s betting the latter. Even as a lame duck, Roethlisberger seems to retain great influence.
What’s next? Perhaps crony Alejandro Villanueva will re-up. (That’s a military term.) Maybe Roethlisberger will take every single snap out of the shotgun. He might lead the league in passing attempts yet again. Play-action will be totally purged from the playbook.
What has happened to the Steelers? They used to operate with such cold and calculating logic.
Of course, they also used to win playoff games. Now, they’re the team that dances.
