Prospective free agents making a pitch to join the Dallas Cowboys is nothing new, and it seems like an untimely playoff exit following a 12-5 regular season won't change that. The Pittsburgh Steelers also faced a first round playoff exit at the Chiefs, which was QB Ben Roethlisberger's last game. Their top WR in JuJu Smith-Schuster may not be interested in sticking around for a rebuild on offense, instead making his pitch to join Dak Prescott at The Star.
Smith-Schuster and Prescott were at the Ford Center for a promotional event on Thursday, sponsored by 7/11. The soon-to-be free agent WR was impressed by the Cowboys practice facility, saying the Steelers still have “wooden” locker rooms. Smith-Schuster has made headlines before with controversial comments and social media posts, and only played in five games including the playoff matchup this season.
JuJu Smith-Schuster said at 7-Eleven event he's “most likely” headed for free agency. On Dak Prescott: “He's a great quarterback. Catching balls from him in a facility like this, I wouldn't mind it. …The Steelers are still working on trying to get out of the wooden locker rooms” pic.twitter.com/fyuDPSpKE8
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) February 2, 2022
This likely won't stop another team from paying Smith-Schuster as a top receiver, something the Cowboys aren't exactly in the market for. Receiver being a team need at all falls on the inability of Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb to match their early production in the second half of the season. Michael Gallup will be a free agent this offseason, fresh off ACL surgery. Cedrick Wilson stepped up in Gallup's absence throughout the season, but is also a pending free agent.
The Cowboys best path towards remaining atop the NFC East and advancing in the playoffs is to continue building a powerhouse offense. Adding a player like Smith-Schuster to an already strong cast of WRs would be the type of surprising move that shows a real commitment here. Smith-Schuster is the type of receiver that can take the top off a defense, but also be a reliable target in the quick game that Dallas missed this season.
Smith-Schuster was playing on a new one-year deal in Pittsburgh this season, but was lost for the season with a shoulder injury in week five.
