JuJu Smith-Schuster’s NFL path just took another hit, and with it, the already slim idea of a Steelers reunion keeps fading.
The former Pittsburgh standout was cut by the New York Giants just months after signing with them this offseason, a move that underscores how far his stock has fallen since his days as a fan favorite in Pittsburgh. Smith-Schuster left the Steelers in free agency in 2022, and since then, the door on a return has only cracked open in speculation, never in reality.
That possibility looks even more remote now. Pittsburgh has plenty of talent at wide receiver, and the only realistic way back would be if Smith-Schuster were willing to come back on the practice squad. At this point, his future in the league itself looks shaky, let alone any path back to the Steelers.
When the Giants listed their depth chart on the team website, Smith-Schuster showed up as the fourth string receiver. For a player who was once a Pro Bowl selection in Pittsburgh, that’s a sharp fall. His production has dipped steadily since leaving the Steelers, and he has topped 1,000 receiving yards in a season only once.
New York also had a crowded receiver room, which made his chances tough from the start. The Giants are expected to keep seven receivers, and there were simply better options ahead of him. Injuries during training camp only made matters worse and pushed his job security even further out of reach.
Smith-Schuster did win a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs, but his role in that run was not a major one. Now, after being part of early roster cuts in New York, he’s left searching for another opportunity before considering anything else.
Unless something unexpected happens, a return to Pittsburgh doesn’t look like the kind of move that’s coming anytime soon.
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