Ex-Steelers Pro Bowler Named Cut Candidate; Potential Steelers Target.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ search for the No. 2 wide receiver continues. While the Steelers should not give up hope of making a big splash, especially with the recent turmoil involving San Francisco 49ers standout Brandon Aiyuk, they should also have other targets in mind. According to Alex Kay of Bleacher Report, former Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster could be a potential receiving target. On June 25, Kay listed Smith-Schuster as a probable cut candidate for the New England Patriots. As a result, Kay suggested that the Steelers keep the veteran wideout on their radar.

“While it’s unlikely he’ll return to the Pro Bowl form he displayed for the Pittsburgh Steelers in his sophomore season, a healthy Smith-Schuster could still be a major asset for plenty of teams as a high-end No. 3 wideout,” Kay wrote in her column. Although he had 933 receiving yards with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in 2022, Smith-Schuster’s best NFL seasons were with the Steelers from 2017 to 2021. In 2018, he made the Pro Bowl with 111 receptions, 1,426 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. Smith-Schuster, on the other hand, could be cut this summer due to his lack of production with the Patriots. Last season, he had 29 receptions for 260 yards and one touchdown in 11 games.

“That may end up being the seven-year veteran’s only campaign with the club despite having two seasons left on a three-year, $25.5 million contract,” Kay said. “While the Pats would be on the hook for a $9.6 million dead money charge in 2024 and another $2.6 million in 2025, they have a league-most $43.3 million in cap space available and may value the roster spot more than the player during a pivotal rebuilding campaign.” Why Could the Patriots Cut the Veteran WR? Last offseason, New England signed Smith-Schuster to a three-year, $25.5 million contract. However, due to several injuries, he did not perform as well as a great receiver would have.