Madden Monday: Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster was ‘destined to leave after 4 years the minute he was drafted’

Tim Benz | Monday, March 15, 2021 6:11 a.m.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster pulls in a 2-point conversion catch against the Houston Texans during a game on Sept. 27, 2020, at Heinz Field.

Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is likely to be with a new team by the end of the week via free agency. And if that happens, he wanted to bid a fond farewell to the City of Pittsburgh.

No matter what happens this week, if I’m back or if I’m somewhere else, just know that I will never see Pittsburgh as just 4 yrs of my life, but a part of who I am. I’ll always carry that tough, blue collar spirit for the rest of my life. I LOVE YOU PITTSBURGH #412 ???️️️ pic.twitter.com/BIJCUDNbQQ

— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) March 14, 2021

However, in this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, TribLive’s Mark Madden questions the depth behind such social media use from Smith-Schuster.

“He’s a phony,” Madden said. “He is (about) his brand first and foremost, and screw everything and everybody else. And that includes the Steelers and the City of Pittsburgh.

“I don’t blame him for going to the highest bidder. That’s free agency. I blame him for being so duplicitous about it.”

Madden says no one should be surprised by Smith-Schuster’s portrayal of his free agency.

“He was destined to leave after four years, pretty much the minute after he was drafted,” Madden insists.

And that’s not necessarily a one-way street. As Madden points out, the Steelers tend to churn and burn receivers.

“They’ve only given a second contract to two wide receivers since the turn of the century — Hines Ward and Antonio Brown. And JuJu Smith-Schuster isn’t in a class with either of them,” Madden said.

Also in the podcast, we talk about the eventual need to replace Bud Dupree at outside linebacker. Is Alex Highsmith the answer? I have my doubts. Let’s see what Mark says.

We also get into Penguins talk regarding the emergence of the team over the last 12 games, the Evgeni Malkin-Kasperi Kapanen connection, and a preview of the upcoming back-to-back games against the Boston Bruins.

Plus, we get into some NCAA tournament talk, dismissive attitudes toward the Pirates, the biggest sports-betting moneymaker on the board right now, and glowing reviews of “I Care a Lot.”

Listen: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss JuJu Smith-Schuster likely leaving in free agency, Steelers’ needs at linebacker, and Penguins’ recent play