It remains to be seen if the Steelers have been in contact with JuJu Smith-Schuster. That could change in the near future now that Ben Roethlisberger's new contract is set, but the Steelers will need to negotiate with him prior to the March 17th deadline because if JuJu hits free agency it will be hard for the Steelers to compete with the other team's offers. The Steelers could try and sign either Bud Dupree or JuJu Smith-Schuster, but signing both is definitely off the table because both players will have a high demand once they're on the market.
Smith-Schuster has been adamant about staying with the Steelers, but he says he would like to get paid what he feels he is worth. JuJu's projected market value is $16.1 million annually according to Spotrac. They feel JuJu will be offered a 5 year, $80.7 million dollar contract in the 2021 offseason. That is a big contract for a wide receiver who is not a WR1. Since Antonio Brown left JuJu has not been consistent putting the big numbers up he did when Brown was here, but he has been consistent with catching the football in the slot position. In fact, he has been very good at playing the wide receiver position in the slot. He just has not taken the step to become a WR1.
It would be very hard for the Steelers to compete with a contract offer of $16.1 million. The only way I see JuJu Smith-Schuster staying in Pittsburgh is on a friendly contract. Ben Roethlisberger has been vocal on keeping JuJu in Pittsburgh as well, but if I had to choose between Bud Dupree and JuJu Smith-Schuster I am keeping Bud Dupree together with TJ Watt on the edge and letting JuJu walk.
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