Juju Smith-Schuster Career Earnings and Contract Details
Juju Smith-Schuster, born John Sherman Smith-Schuster, is a professional NFL wide receiver known for his high-profile career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs. His current contract with the Chiefs includes a base salary of $10 million for the 2024 season, with a total cap hit of $12.2 million and a signing bonus of $1 million. This deal reflects his status as a slot receiver with proven production, and it includes incentives tied to receptions and touchdowns that can increase his total earnings by up to $1.5 million if met. His cumulative earnings across his NFL career have surpassed $50 million in base salary and bonuses since he entered the league in 2017, making him one of the higher-earning wide receivers of his draft class. For detailed contract breakdowns, see the official Kansas City Chiefs roster page here.
Before joining the Chiefs, Smith-Schuster signed a five-year, $80 million contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, which included $44 million guaranteed. That deal made him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL at the time, with an average annual value of $16 million. The guaranteed portion of the contract was structured to include a $15 million signing bonus and roster bonuses that vest over the life of the deal. His performance metrics during that Steelers tenure included over 300 career receptions and 4,000+ receiving yards, which directly supported the financial terms of the extension. The Steelers released him in March 2023, after which he signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs, resetting his earnings trajectory for the final years of his prime.
Juju Smith-Schuster's Brand Value and Off-Field Income
Smith-Schuster's off-field income comes from endorsement deals with brands such as Nike and Beats by Dre, as well as a growing portfolio of social media and content creation ventures. His Instagram following exceeds 4 million, and his TikTok presence has driven partnerships with consumer brands looking to reach a young, sports-oriented demographic. According to a 2023 Forbes estimate of his total off-field earnings, his annual income from endorsements and media projects is in the range of $1 million to $2 million, separate from his NFL salary. This brand value is supported by his high school and college highlights, his Super Bowl appearance with the Chiefs, and his consistent visibility in NFL media coverage. Forbes has covered his transition from athlete to media personality in its annual NFL earnings reports, which can be accessed here.
His business investments include a stake in a sports media company and equity positions in several consumer startups, though the exact valuations of these holdings are not publicly disclosed. Smith-Schuster has also launched a personal brand that includes merchandise lines and collaborative content with other NFL players, which generates additional revenue through e-commerce and platform monetization. The NFL Players Association tracks player income streams and has noted that players with strong social media followings can earn 20 to 30 percent of their total income from off-field activities during the active playing years. This trend is documented in the NFLPA's collective bargaining agreement overview, which outlines the revenue-sharing framework that supports player earnings beyond their contracts here.
Juju Smith-Schuster's NFL Draft Profile and Career Trajectory
Smith-Schuster was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft with the 62nd overall pick, coming out of