Steelers' JuJu Smith-Schuster expects to hit peak contract value with strong 2021 season

Jun. 9—JuJu Smith-Schuster wants to keep being a security blanket for Ben Roethlisberger even if he plays outside in the offensive formation.

Smith-Schuster also wants security of the financial nature. And he's willing to go outside to get it, too.

Working on a one-year contract that was a byproduct of the NFL's reduced salary cap, Smith-Schuster admitted Wednesday that he wants to cash in by getting a multiyear deal in 2022 — even if it means leaving the Steelers to do so.

"My value is my value," Smith-Schuster said.

In a wide-ranging interview — his first with local reporters since he agreed to an $8 million deal in March — Smith-Schuster talked about his decision to return to the organization that drafted him in 2017, the possibility of playing for (gasp!) the Baltimore Ravens and his role within the 2021 offense.

Smith-Schuster hit free agency this winter at a time when, because of the pandemic, the salary cap dropped 8% to $182.5 million. While Kenny Golladay and Corey Davis — receivers who couldn't match Smith-Schuster's production — received three-year offers worth $40 million and $27 million guaranteed, respectively, Smith-Schuster didn't get a serious bid during the two-day legal tampering period or the first three days of free agency. His market value heading into free agency ranged from $10-$16 million per season.

Smith-Schuster attributed it to the market.

"Everything that happened this year was different with the cap being low," Smith-Schuster said. "Next year, the cap will be so much bigger. I'll be on the market and knowing every team would want to offer something on the table to what my value is. This year, I have to ball out and do what I've got to do and put stuff on tape to make my value even better."

When Smith-Schuster accepted the Steelers' offer, he reportedly turned down deals from Baltimore and Kansas City. Smith-Schuster said he returned to the Steelers out of "loyalty" to the organization, the coaches and Roethlisberger.

"A couple million, I know for some people it's different," Smith-Schuster said, "but I'm looking at the bigger picture next year."

Even though he said his fans would have "destroyed" him for signing with the Ravens, Smith-Schuster also said he would consider signing with Baltimore — and any other AFC North team — in 2022.

"Like people say, if the price is right," Smith-Schuster said. "You just never know."

After being so tight against the cap this offseason that Roethlisberger was asked to take a $5 million pay cut, the Steelers have $75 million to spend in 2022 — the second-most of any NFL team.

"I think to come back for another four more years and have nine years as a Steeler would be tremendous and remarkable," he said. "It would be unheard of from a receiver standpoint. Don't get me wrong, Pittsburgh is definitely an option on the table. I know they are one of the teams that have the most cap. A lot of people are going to want to get a deal. You have to play your butt off because you never know what is going to happen."

It is Smith-Schuster's opinion that the best way to increase his market value is by playing outside. In 2018, when he set career highs with 111 catches and 1,426 yards, Smith-Schuster lined up in the slot 59% of the time. By contrast, he played in the slot on 78% of his snaps in 2020 when he had a career-low 8.6 yards per catch and totaled just 831 yards on 97 receptions.

"Being able to play outside is adding more to your craft," Smith-Schuster said. "It's having another threat player on the other side with Ben. I think we have players that can play all the way around the offense. We have so many threats."

Roethlisberger, though, likes having Smith-Schuster line up in the slot given his effectiveness in turning quick passes into first downs.

"Is there a guy in the NFL that on third and medium-to-short that you want the ball in his hands as much as JuJu?" Roethlisberger said. "I don't know if I can think of one."

Smith-Schuster doesn't think vacating the slot would weaken the position for the Steelers. He recommended Ray-Ray McCloud, who is entering his first offseason with the team, as his replacement.

"For sure, I'm the security blanket wherever I'm at the on field," he said. "Playing inside, I pretty much have it down pat."

Joe Rutter is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joe by email at jrutter@triblive.com or via Twitter .