After momentarily testing free office, JuJu Smith-Schuster decided to remain in Pittsburgh this season on a one-year, $8 million agreement. One year from now, Smith-Schuster is expecting more.
Smith-Schuster said today that the lower salary cap for 2021 restricted his alternatives this year, and he’s trusting that in the event that he plays well and the cap expansions in 2022, that is the point at which he can cash in.
“With everything that happened this year was different with the cap being low,” Smith-Schuster said, via Brooke Pryor of ESPN. “Next year, hopeful the cap will be so much bigger. Knowing I’ll be on the market again and every team will want to offer something with my value.”
Smith-Schuster said the Ravens and Chiefs were interested, however he wanted to stay faithful to Pittsburgh and continue to play with Ben Roethlisberger.
“I’m looking at the bigger picture, going into next year,” he said. “I already knew if I went to the Ravens, fans would’ve destroyed me. Going to the Chiefs, they have a great offense, playing with Tyreek [Hill] and Travis [Kelce], but I’ve got to do what’s best for me. That’s staying home.”
Smith-Schuster is still only 24 years of age, and with a major season he would be a very attractive free agent a year from now.