The New York Giants signed former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris on Tuesday. But the signing came at the expense of another ex-Steelers offensive star.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday afternoon the Giants released wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in a corresponding move to create roster room for Harris.
“In the corresponding move for signing RB Najee Harris, the Giants are planning to release veteran WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, per sources,” wrote Schefter on X.
The Giants signed Harris a day after the running back tried out for the team.
Longtime Baltimore Ravens and first-year New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh is adding Harris to the mix about 24 hours after the team parted ways with depth running back Dante Miller with an injury settlement.
Smith-Schuster spent about two and a half months with the Giants. New York inked him to a 1-year contract on June 1.
The receiver and Harris were teammates with the Steelers for one season — 2021. Since then, Smith-Schuster has played for the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots.
In five seasons with the Steelers, Smith-Schuster registered 323 catches, 3,855 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns in 63 games. He posted three 800-yard campaigns.
During 2018, Smith-Schuster made the Pro Bowl while recording 111 receptions, 1,426 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
John Harbaugh, Giants Part Ways With WR JuJu Smith-Schuster: Report
GettyThe New York Giants released wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Tuesday.
Smith-Schuster’s time with the Giants ended really before it started. The wideout didn’t play in Week 1 of the preseason because of knee soreness.
The injury sidelined him for much of training camp as well.
Smith-Schuster only joined the Giants in June. He worked out for the team on June 1 and signed a contract later that day.
The receiver tried out for New York along with fellow wideouts Odell Beckham Jr. and Braxton Berries. The Giants signed those two wideouts as well on the same day.
Smith-Schuster won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs during 2022. In that season, he had 78 catches, 933 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
But Smith-Schuster’s best playing days were with the Steelers. He was a fan favorite in Pittsburgh, especially early in his career when he played opposite Antonio Brown.
Smith-Schuster hauled in 97-yard touchdowns in each of his first two seasons.
During his final season with the Steelers, he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 5. Pundits expected the ailment to end his season, but Smith-Schuster worked hard to return for the Steelers in the playoffs.
His last game with Pittsburgh was a wild card round loss to the Chiefs. Smith-Schuster worked back through the injury despite having no future guaranteed money remaining on his contract.
John Harbaugh, Giants Cut Ex-Steelers Star to Sign Najee Harris: Report