There is strong speculation among much of the media that JuJu Smith-Schuster will walk this offseason from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith-Schuster is going to walk into free agency as one of the top wide receivers who has a strong market value of $16.1 million dollars annually. Teams like the Jets, Raiders, Giants, and Dolphins are expected to make a run at JuJu in free agency. Another team I would expect to make a run at Smith-Schuster is the New England Patriots. That would not be shocking to see happen.
Ed Bouchette expects JuJu Smith-Schuster to walk in free agency. He believes JuJu can lead a young wide receiving corps group in Pittsburgh, but his price range will be too high in the open market for the Steelers to re-sign him. Ian Rapoport says the Steelers will continue to monitor JuJu Smith-Schuster through free agency just like they plan on doing with Bud Dupree. He says there is a 10% chance the Steelers can re-sign JuJu this offseason if they decide to play cap gymnastics.
John Clayton of ESPN says JuJu Smith-Schuster will likely take his time to weigh his options in free agency. He says the Dolphins, Raiders, and Patriots will show some interest. Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The Raider's first priority is bringing Nelson Agholor back in the offseason.
Julian Edelman's status remains unclear with the Patriots heading into the offseason. That could make JuJu Smith-Schuster's value rise for Bill Belichick. I think the Miami Dolphins fit the best for JuJu Smith-Schuster because Miami has a strong market for his brand. Plus the Dolphins are one of the youngest upcoming teams in the AFC.
Yesterday JuJu Smith-Schuster penned a thank you to the City of Pittsburgh saying whatever happens in Free Agency he enjoyed his time playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He said he could still sign with the Steelers, but to me, it looked like a goodbye to the City who drafted him.
JuJu Smith-Schuster's mom also wrote that she couldn't see her son playing in any other colors other than the black and yellow on Instagram yesterday. It looks like JuJu and his family are heartbroken by the possibility of leaving Pittsburgh. They love the City of Pittsburgh, but at the end of the day this is a business and if JuJu Smith-Schuster does walk in the offseason for more money I do not blame him one bit. It was a fun ride with JuJu Smith-Schuster for 4 years in Pittsburgh and although it looks like he could walk soon the door can always stay open for a return down the road. Who knows he could sign back with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the coming days which would be great to see, but the chances of him walking are much higher than staying.