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JuJu Smith-Schuster might have reached the end of his rope in Pittsburgh.
The former Pro Bowl receiver has reportedly been telling teammates he will be signing with a different team in free agency, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
#Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster has told teammates that he's likely to sign elsewhere in free agency, per @MikeGarafolo.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 15, 2021
It always seemed pretty likely the two sides were headed for a breakup this offseason, and Smith-Schuster has been hinting at this outcome.
For starters, Smith-Schuster has been a relative disappointment since his Pro Bowl season in 2018. The 24-year-old missed four games in 2019, finishing the season with just 42 receptions for 552 yards and three touchdowns. Smith-Schuster played in all 16 games in 2020, but he averaged only 8.6 yards per reception.
Secondly, the Steelers are still starving for cap space. Pittsburgh gained some flexibility after it agreed to terms on a new deal with Ben Roethlisberger and reduced his cap number. Other players have also undergone contract restructures. But the Steelers barely have $5 million in cap, per Over The Cap. They obviously need space to sign draft picks, which means free agency could be somewhat quiet.
Smith-Schuster could benefit from a fairly modest wide receiver market.
Former Detroit Lions star Kenny Golladay is likely to be the top target at the position after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used the franchise tag on Chris Godwin. There is some uncertainty as to how Golladay's own market will play out, let alone the rest of the available receivers.
However, Smith-Schuster could have the opportunity to possibly sign a short-term deal that is slightly larger in terms of annual average value. Such a contract would allow him to reenter the open market at a young age.
Regardless, Smith-Schuster is unlikely to be wearing the Black and Gold in 2021.
