JuJu Smith-Schuster reveals why he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs
JuJu Smith-Schuster had a solid career in Pittsburgh, which is why a large group of fans were disheartened by his decision to leave the Steelers for the Chiefs. We don't ever really know how the negotiation process goes unless you're the actual player, the general manager, the player's agent, or a fly that happened to […]
JuJu Smith-Schuster had a solid career in Pittsburgh, which is why a large group of fans were disheartened by his decision to leave the Steelers for the Chiefs.
We don't ever really know how the negotiation process goes unless you're the actual player, the general manager, the player's agent, or a fly that happened to be on the wall during negotiations. Therefore, it was rather unclear as to why Smith-Schuster officially decided to sign with the Chiefs.
But according to Smith-Schuster's mother, Sammy Toa-Schuster, the sixth-year receiver was treated like old news in the relationship. The Steelers had a "new boyfriend in mind", which was the catalyst behind Smith-Schuster's departure.
Toa-Schuster's post seems more like a grab to gain her lost followers back. Or a grab to gain new followers, in general. But at the same time, there could be some truth to it since she is in fact his mother, at the end of the day.
Regardless, Toa-Schuster's comments aren't a big deal in the grand scheme of things. And that's especially true after Smith-Schuster's comments in a recent interview with NFL Network's Taylor Biscotti.
Biscotti asked Smith-Schuster what changed in 2022 after he initially turned down Kansas City in favor of a 2021 run with Pittsburgh.
"It finally came down to what's best for my career and my future," Smith-Schuster said. "Honestly, going with the Steelers and what they offered me – it wasn't what I was looking for. And I needed to go somewhere where I'm able to play that one year and just go out there and play and ball. And I saw where the Chiefs are the best fit for me. So I took the opportunity.
"Last year I stayed because I wanted to play with Ben [Roethlisberger] and with my guys for one more year… Being able to come back to a team that wanted me in back-to-back free agencies just shows a lot."
And he even cleared up his mother's claim that the Steelers didn't make an attempt to keep him.
"Yea, of course," he said when Biscotti asked if the Steelers tried to get him to stay. "That's where I started my career. I love Pittsburgh. I mean, it's an amazing city. The fanbase is incredible. I wanted to stay."
See what I mean? We never really know unless we are there, ourselves.
But regardless of Toa-Schuster's perspective, Smith-Schuster's comments shed an honest light on why he decided to leave.
Based off his response, it sounds like the Steelers offered Smith-Schuster a multi-year deal at a low rate. Instead of locking himself in at the hypothesized low rate, he decided to take a risk on himself with an excellent quarterback in an excellent offense (even without Tyreek Hill). Smith-Schuster's deal with Kansas City is only worth about $3.25 million in guaranteed salary, but he has a chance to make up to $10.75 million if he reaches certain incentives. And his chances of reaching said incentives are even higher after the departure of Hill, because now, Smith-Schuster is arguably the No. 2 target and No. 1 wide receiver on the Chiefs' roster.
And another big factor in Smith-Schuster's decision is his health. He told Biscotti later on in the interview that he is 100% healthy, which puts him in line to have a big year. And if he has a big year, well, that means an even bigger payday than what the Steelers offered.
So, it was a business decision, when it's all said and done. While that's not a surprise, at least the speculation can finally be laid to rest.
You can check out Biscotti's full interview, below.
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Featured image credit via Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
