JuJu Smith-Schuster
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Steelers Now's Alan Saunders proposed the possibility of the Pittsburgh Steelers bringing back JuJu Smith-Schuster in NFL free agency.
After free agency departures this spring, the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t have many players left from the Kevin Colbert era. But Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders proposed the possibility of the team bringing back one of their former Colbert draft picks — wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Saunders argued Monday the Steelers should still pursue wideout options to play in the slot next season. Saunders then listed five slot receivers as potential targets.
Smith-Schuster made the list as the final option.
“JuJu Smith-Schuster is nowhere near the same player he was when he left Pittsburgh, but still played a lot of snaps for Kansas City last year and managed 345 yards,” Saunders wrote. “He’s always been a good blocker and a physical presence in the slot, and when you look at the interior options in the 2026 NFL Draft, a lot of them are smaller players, meaning their could be a role for a player like Smith-Schuster, even if the Steelers draft one.”
The Steelers picked Smith-Schuster during the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. In five seasons with Pittsburgh, he posted 323 receptions, 3,855 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns.
Over the past four seasons, Smith-Schuster has played for the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots. He won the Super Bowl with the Chiefs during the 2022 campaign.
His best statistical seasons in the league, though, came during his first five years with the Steelers. In 2018, Smith-Schuster made the Pro Bowl with 111 catches, 1,426 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.