PITTSBURGH (93.7 the Fan) With the Pittsburgh Steelers season coming to an end, there are many questions that need to be answered and personnel decisions that need to be made.
Two of the team's biggest names are closing in on free agency and it is still unknown if the Steelers want to keep the pair around.
Cornerback Joe Haden tweeted that the "door isn't closed" on the Steelers and that he has until mid-March to make a decision.
When asked about Haden's future, NFL insider John Clayton says that Haden would be an affordable option.
"He's going to be lucky to generate $5-6 million on a one-year deal."
That's a fair assessment for a corner back on the wrong side of 30.
A price tag like that could be an affordable one for the Steelers if they decide to bring him back for another year.
Steelers' wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster took a one-year deal prior to the 2021 season to prove he had what it takes to earn a large contract.
That was derailed when he suffered a shoulder injury that took him out for a majority of the season.
Clayton thinks that JuJu's injury will have a negative effect on his next contract.
"Coming off of injury, he may have to take a provisional contract."
The Steelers' receiver tweeted out his appreciation for the fans in Pittsburgh and that he would be blessed to return.
The price given by Clayton fluctuated, everywhere from $11 million to $12 million, even as low as $8 million.
Clayton did say Juju's next contract "certainly won't be $16-17 million."
When asked if the receiver helped his future by coming back to play in the Steelers' playoff game on Sunday, Clayton thought it was a good move.
"Yeah, I think so," Clayton said. "It shows he wants to play and is resilient enough… I think he helped himself."
