In his second season in the league, 2018, JuJu had his greatest season following a rookie year that included 58 receptions, 917 yards, and seven touchdowns. He scored 111/1,426/7 and appeared to be ready to replace Antonio Brown when he left.
Since then, there have been significant declining returns. Big Ben missed all but two of the 2019 season, during which time JuJu caught 42 passes for a meagre 552 yards and three touchdowns. While he didn’t quite reach 2018 levels last season, he did show growth, catching 97 catches for 831 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns.
He’s back with the Steelers for at least one more season, and he plans to make the most of it after declining overtures from teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens this offseason.
Smith-Schuster stated, “You are going to get the whole package,” according to the Tribune-Review. “I believe that the main topic of conversation for most people is me playing outside. I’ll be playing outside more, I promise.
JuJu Smith-Schuster led the NFL last season with 711 snaps and 629 routes run from the slot, according to the publication, although his explosiveness might have declined. His averages of 8.6 yards per reception and 6.5 yards per target were career lows.
We will see if JuJu Smith-Schuster truly blossoms this season as the Pittsburgh Steelers attempt to make what might be their final Super Bowl run with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Other young receivers like James Washington, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool are all back, along with a talented tight end in Pat Freiermuth and new offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Najee Harris will play for the Steelers in 2024, but it’s less certain what will happen to him in 2025.
His 2025 salary, if the Steelers exercise his fifth-year option, will be slightly less than $7 million, or $6.79 million, to be precise. However, general manager Omar Khan reports that the Steelers are still undecided about whether to pick up his fifth-year option.
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