NFL free company 2021 winners and losers: JuJu Smith-Schuster stays put, Justin Simmons inks long-term deal


It took just a few days however, ultimately, JuJu Smith-Schuster bought his want. The veteran receiver will stay in Pittsburgh after signing a one-year take care of the Steelers. Whereas he didn’t land a deal much like the one Curtis Samuel signed with Washington, Smith-Schuster was in a position to stay in Pittsburgh whereas placing himself in place to land a long-term deal in 2022. 

Smith-Schuster turned down a number of different provides to remain in Pittsburgh. Under, we’ll check out the groups Smith-Schuster spurned. We’ll additionally evaluation the opposite winners and losers from the third day of free company. 

Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers 

As soon as they determined to convey Ben Roethlisberger again, it made sense for the Steelers to attempt to convey again Roethlisberger’s favourite receiver. Regardless of receiving provides from the EaglesRavens, and ChiefsJuJu Smith-Schuster in the end determined to return to Pittsburgh on a one-year, $8 million deal. Pittsburgh was in a position to maintain Smith-Schuster at a really inexpensive value whereas protecting the Steelers’ receiving corps (a bunch that additionally consists of Chase ClaypoolDiontae Johnson and James Washington) in tact for 2021. 

Loser: Baltimore Ravens 

Regardless of making a spirited effort to signal him, the Ravens fell quick of their bid to land their rival’s No. 1 receiver. The Ravens are nonetheless in the hunt for a veteran receiver, and their choices are getting restricted. Thankfully for Baltimore, there are nonetheless just a few good veterans out there that embody Antonio Brown. T.Y. Hilton and Sammy Watkins. The Ravens have put their hat within the ring because it pertains to pursuing Kenny Golladay

Winner: Justin Simmons 

As an alternative of taking part in below the tag in 2021, Simmons and the Broncos have been in a position to come to phrases on a four-year, $61 million deal that features $35 million assured. The 98th general decide within the 2016 draft, Simmons has blossomed into one of many NFL’s high free safeties. In 2020, Simmons earned his first Professional Bowl choice after recording 96 tackles, 5 interceptions and 9 passes defensed. 

Loser: Chicago Bears

The Bears seemed to be firmly within the combine to land Kenny Golladay after assembly with the Chicago native on Wednesday night time. However now, it seems that the Giants are the front-runner to land Golladay after assembly with him over the previous two days. The Bears do deserve props by putting the franchise tag on Allen Robinson, which makes the doubtless whiff of Golladay simpler to digest. The Bears even have a number of different veteran receivers they’ll pursue. That checklist consists of Hilton, Antonio Brown and Watkins. 

Winner: Cincinnati Bengals 

The Bengals lastly parted with eight-time Professional Bowl defensive deal with Geno Atkins, saving them $9.5 million in cap area. Cincinnati additionally made an enormous splash once they signed veteran offensive deal with Riley Reiff. The twenty third general decide within the 2012 draft, the 32-year-old Reiff spent the previous 4 years with the Vikings after taking part in 5 seasons in Detroit. Reiff, who has expertise at each deal with spots, has 127 begins in 135 regular-season video games. Final season, Reiff helped Dalvin Cook dinner end second within the NFL with 1,557 dashing yards. 

Cincinnati additionally traded backup quarterback Ryan Finely to Houston, permitting them to maneuver up about 30 spots on the finish of the 2021 draft. 

Loser: Russell Wilson 

Regardless of their interior turmoil, Wilson and the Seahawks will doubtless keep collectively for the 2021 season, in keeping with CBS Sports activities NFL Insider Jason La Canfora. The Saints, Bears, Raiders and Cowboys — the groups on Wilson’s accredited checklist of groups he would comply with be traded to — have made different strikes at quarterback after not with the ability to full a commerce take care of Seattle earlier this week. And whereas the window hasn’t theoretically closed, it seems that Wilson might be returning to Seattle. The Seahawks have made just a few strikes to assist shield Wilson in 2021. They re-signed heart Ethan Pocic whereas additionally buying and selling a fifth-round decide to the Raiders for guard Gabe Jackson. In addition they made Wilson just a little happier by re-signing veteran operating again Chris Carson to a reported two-year deal.





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