Before this article takes off I would like to say I've enjoyed JuJu Smith-Schuster's time here in Pittsburgh. He is a good wide receiver and a great person on and off of the football field, but if the Steelers let him walk in free agency I've come to terms with being fine with it.
JuJu Smith-Schuster's predicted market value is set at $16.1 million annually according to Spotrac. They have estimated he will receive an offer for 5 years, $80.7 million with an average salary of $16.1 million dollars heading into free agency on March 17th. No way in the world would the Steelers be able to compete with an offer like that in the 2021 offseason. Yes, JuJu has said he wants to stay with the Steelers and he would like to talk to the organization, but common sense says he wouldn't sign a friendly deal just to stay in Pittsburgh. He has even been on the record saying he would like to get paid for what he thinks he is worth. That's fair to say, but the Steelers will not overpay.
From a business perspective, the Steelers need to sign TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Devin Bush down the road. They cannot continue to keep themselves in a bad cap situation if they want to sign all 3 players in the near future. The key to getting the Steelers to a Super Bowl in the future is to keep their core nucleus together on defense. Watt, Fitzpatrick, Bush, Heyward, Tuitt. Then revamp the offensive line with an elite running back for 2021. Take one last ride with Ben Roethlisberger and look for your future quarterback. That would be the smart way to handle this offseason.
If JuJu Smith-Schuster decides he would like to stay in Pittsburgh on a friendly contract then, by all means, sign him ASAP, but it would be wise for him to get paid this offseason and if he hits free agency the Pittsburgh Steelers know they will not be able to match what he will be offered in the offseason. So again I have come to terms with the idea of allowing JuJu Smith-Schuster to test free agency. Besides the Steelers find gems at the wide receiver position like clockwork.