Smith-Schuster staying home
PITTSBURGH — JuJu Smith-Schuster is keeping it “lit” with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The free-agent wide receiver surprisingly opted to return to the Steelers on Friday on a one-year deal just days after strongly hinting that his departure on the open market was imminent.
The deal coincides with what could be quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s final season. Roethlisberger adjusted his contract earlier this month to free up a small bit of salary cap space for the Steelers.
Smith-Schuster and Roethlisberger have developed a strong bond during Smith-Schuster’s four seasons in Pittsburgh. Smith-Schuster has caught 308 passes for 3,726 yards and 26 touchdowns for the Steelers and became a sure-handed option in Pittsburgh’s short-passing game last season, hauling in 97 passes for 831 yards and nine scores.
Bengals release stalwart Atkins
The Cincinnati Bengals addressed two of their problem areas — offensive and defensive lines — through free agency and bid farewell to longtime star Geno Atkins.
The Bengals on Friday released the 32-year-old Atkins, who has been with the team for his entire 11-year NFL career, two days after seeing another one of the franchise’s greatest players, receiver A.J. Green, leave for a one-year contract with Arizona.
Cincinnati bolstered its offensive line, which was a glaring weakness in a 4-11-1 season in 2020, with the signing of ex-Vikings tackle Riley Reiff as the team seeks better protection for quarterback Joe Burrow. The Bengals also are expected to add an offensive lineman early in the NFL draft next month, perhaps with the No. 5 overall pick.
The Bengals hoped to beef up their pass rush by picking up defensive end Trey Hendrickson, an edge rusher who had 13½ sacks with the Saints last year, and ex-Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi.
Seahawks sign top running back
The Seattle Seahawks are bringing back their top running back after reaching an agreement with Chris Carson on a two-year contract, according to two people with knowledge of the deal.
Bringing back Carson is a major victory for the Seahawks, keeping the top remaining free agent running back on the market from leaving the only NFL team he has played for.
This past season, Carson was limited to 12 games and rushed for 651 yards and five scores. He also added four receiving touchdowns.
Broncos, safety reach record deal
Justin Simmons’ unflinching leadership was evident Friday even though he wasn’t anywhere in sight at the Denver Broncos headquarters on the day he became the NFL’s highest-paid safety.
The deal includes $35 million in guarantees and is worth $61 million over four years.
Vikings forfeit 7th-round pick
The Minnesota Vikings will forfeit their seventhround selection in the draft this year for a collective bargaining agreement salary cap violation, the NFL confirmed on Friday.
League spokesman Brian McCarthy said the infraction was related to a practice squad player’s contract in 2019. In addition, he said, three Vikings executives were fined $10,000 each.