Steelers fans wave goodbye to JuJu Smith-Schuster one final time

JuJu Smith-Schuster hosted one final charity event to say goodbye to Steelers fans but didn’t rule out a return to Pittsburgh at some point in his career. 

It’s not often that the Pittsburgh Steelers let a fan favorite walk away from the organization in the prime of his NFL career. After exploding onto the scene with a monster year in 2018 that included 111 catches, 1,426 yards, and 7 touchdowns, JuJu Smith-Schuster hasn’t found the same success since.

In 2021, the former Pro Bowl receiver played in just five games before landing on IR with a shoulder injury. He later returned to play one final game with the team against the Chiefs in the playoffs before he would hit free agency and later sign with Kansas City.

However, JuJu isn’t your typical football player. He knows how big of an impact he made in the lives of countless young fans in Pittsburgh, and he wanted to say goodbye properly.

This past weekend, Smith-Schuster held a charity event where he could see his fans one last time. The proceeds of the event went to Paws Across Pittsburgh, The Miracle League, Vintage, and Magee-Women’s Research Institute.

According to Smith-Schuster, about 400 people showed up for the event — which was more than he expected. The former Steelers receiver had already packed up and moved to Kansas City and he felt like he didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.

Much of the fanbase will miss the fun-loving wide receiver who routinely provided the entertainment on and off the field. However, JuJu didn’t rule out the possibility of a return to Pittsburgh at some point in his professional career.

A JuJu return to Steelers is possible

On CBS News Pittsburgh, Smith-Schuster vocalized that he could see himself back in the Steel City. JuJu signed just a one-year deal with the Chiefs this offseason, so he could very well hit the market and choose his destination in 2023.

Despite Pittsburgh’s current depth at the wide receiver position, the former second-round pick could potentially return to the Steelers in the near future if his market falls through again.

Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff obviously have great familiarity with JuJu and they know how hard he works. If things don’t work out particularly well in Kansas City this year and if he is willing to take a reduced role, it’s possible that Smith-Schuster can return to Pittsburgh.

Throughout his career, JuJu has dealt with one injury after another — from concussions to pulled hamstrings. His knee sprains, foot injury, and shoulder injury since 2019 could have contributed to Smith-Schuster’s decline in efficiency and likely played a role in receiving a relatively small contract in free agency.

Still, JuJu is only 25 years old after five NFL seasons. Now healthy and on a high-powered offense, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him have a bounce-back season in 2022. Regardless of whether or not he returns to Pittsburgh, Steelers fans are sure to follow his career and root for success.