JuJu Smith-Schuster will enter his contract negotiations next year with new representation.
The charismatic wideout left Jay Z's Roc Nation for the Wasserman Media Group's sports division, the agency announced this week. Notably, Dallas Cowboys wideout Amari Cooper is a client of Wasserman Media. He was able to secure in free agency what Smith-Schuster could not: a lucrative long-term deal.
Cooper inked a five-year, $100 million contract with the Cowboys prior to last season. It is the most expensive deal in the NFL for a wide receiver.
Smith-Schuster, meanwhile, returned to Pittsburgh on a one-year deal worth $8 million. The 24-year-old caught 97 passes for 831 yards and nine touchdowns in 2020. His best season came in 2018, when he reeled in 111 catches for 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns. Those numbers landed him in the Pro Bowl.
After failing to garner sizable interest on the open market, Smith-Schuster decided to bet on himself for another season. He's been clear about how he feels loyal to Pittsburgh and Ben Roethlisberger, whom he's praised many times this offseason.
Still, that doesn't mean Smith-Schuster is a lock to stay with the Steelers. Last week, he said he's betting on landing a big deal -- while sporting some sweet pink hair.
Hence, perhaps, the change in agencies.
"Knowing that I'll be on the market again and knowing that every team would want to offer something on the table to what my value is," he said.
