We were told for a long time that JuJu Smith-Schuster wanted to stay in Pittsburgh. While not everyone believed that what most did believe, including yours truly, would be that he would sign elsewhere for big, big money. As the days passed and the wide receiver market ground to a halt, it became more and more hopeful that JuJu would return. That happened yesterday.
Early on this past week, talks started to happen. JuJu’s agent, Kim Miahle, started talking more seriously with the Steelers and it was made clear that JuJu wanted to return. He loved playing in Pittsburgh and appreciated the love he got in return. It was all falling into place. Except for one problem; the Steelers were cap-strapped which wasn’t exactly a secret.
When Ben Roethlisberger agreed to his new deal, the major surprise there was the decision to use voidable years. This is not something the Steelers do. The late Dan Rooney hated it as he felt it wasn’t respectful and honest to why the salary cap was enacted in the first place. It is essentially, another way to kick the can down the road. But no one could have seen the pandemic coming and it immediately changed things.
We were again surprised when voidable years were part of Cam Sutton’s deal as well but would Kevin Colbert do it yet again? Miahle made it abundantly clear that this is where JuJu wanted to be and he would take less to make it happen. That’s when permission was granted to use the voidable years once again.
$8 million is a ton of money. That’s what Smith-Schuster will play for this fall. He could have signed for much more in Baltimore, Philly and Kansas City but he stayed. This my friends is loyalty and despite what you’ve heard, loyalty is not totally dead in pro sports yet. Think about this, he could have gone to play with Patrick Mahomes! He would be on the cusp of Super Bowls every season. I get why he didn’t go to Baltimore. I mean, why would anyone go to Baltimore??? But turning down more money and a chance for Super Bowl glory in Kansas City? Love and loyalty my friends.
There will be some, you know, those middle aged men who can’t stand that JuJu enjoys life, who will now find more reasons to hate on him. But again, love and loyalty won out. They can throw shots at JuJu – and surely they will – all they want. But unless JuJu isn’t producing on the field then they won’t have a leg to stand on.
JuJu Smith-Schuster wants to be here. He isn’t the first to fall in love with Pittsburgh and he won’t be the last. In the word of professional sports however this show of love and loyalty is rare. Let’s enjoy it for one more season anyway.
