First Call: Was Philadelphia trying to sign JuJu Smith-Schuster or not?; Pirates said to have 'top 10' farm system

Monday’s “First Call” examines the alleged level of interest in Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster before he decided to stay in Pittsburgh.

Specifically, from the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles.

Alex Highsmith has a plan to replace Bud Dupree at outside linebacker.

And at least one outlet seems to think that the Pirates farm system is for real.

Philly flirtation

On Friday, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter said that the Philadelphia Eagles tried to woo JuJu Smith-Schuster across the state during his free agency. But he decided to stay in Pittsburgh.

JuJu Smith-Schuster also turned down more money on a multi-year deal from the Eagles than he took to return to the Steelers, per source. The Eagles’ were a secret suitor. But Smith-Schuster loved Pittsburgh and its fans too much to leave. https://t.co/X8gitZYxwd

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2021

Schefter then tweaked that report, making it sound like the interest was more on Smith-Schuster’s part than anything else.

In this case, JuJu Smith-Schuster’s agent called the Eagles to gauge their interest; those were the discussions. The Eagles did not wind up courting him. JuJu back to Pittsburgh, which was what he wanted. https://t.co/IWTvGIfzxs

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2021

It’s time to drop this farce. Smith-Schuster came back to Pittsburgh on a one-year deal because it was the best thing for him in 2021. Period. If he had a better offer that would’ve provided security for him in 2022 and beyond, he would’ve signed it.

End of story.

Baltimore blues

It’s also been reported that the Baltimore Ravens offered more money to recruit Smith-Schuster. But he turned it down.

If that’s true, the theory is that JuJu turned them down because he thought the Ravens don’t pass enough with a running quarterback such as Lamar Jackson at the helm.

No one threw less than the Ravens in 2021. But receiver Dez Bryant, who joined the Ravens last year, says those concerns should be rendered moot.

All of this Lamar hate is starting to get on my nerves....just know I got to see first hand what he have to deal with.. him being able to play QB is far from the issue..

— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) March 20, 2021

It’s also believed the Ravens were interested in former Detroit Lions receiver Kenny Golladay. But he ended up signing with the New York Giants.

High on Highsmith

Many Steelers fans are optimistic about outside linebacker Alex Highsmith as a full-time replacement for Bud Dupree at outside linebacker.

For me, the jury is still out. He had just one sack as a full-time starter after Dupree’s ACL injury. I question if he has Dupree’s athleticism and burst.

But one thing is for sure. The guy clearly has a good head on his shoulders. Every time I hear him speak or see him interact in a public setting, he comes off as smart, grounded, mature and emotionally polished. That came through again this weekend while speaking with Lance Medow of SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio.

According to Highsmith, his goal this offseason is expanding his repertoire of pass-rushing moves.

“You can never have enough tools in your toolbox,” Highsmith said. “The main thing for me is perfecting my favorite moves, a couple of countermoves. If I can perfect those, those are the ones I am going to be able to go to.”

Highsmith also said he wants to get “faster and stronger” this offseason.

Top 10

Well, it’s something.

MLB.com rated the Pirates as the eighth-best farm system among Major League Baseball franchises.

The players that they list include third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes (No. 9), infielder Nick Gonzales (No. 43), pitcher Quinn Priester (No. 52) and shortstop Oneil Cruz (No. 64).

Here’s how MLB.com assesses the Pirates minor leaguers. “Eleven of the players on Pittsburgh’s Top 30 Prospects list were acquired by trade, more than any other organization this year. But the top three on the list were all first-round picks of the Pirates. The system is ranked among MLB’s Top 10 for the first time since 2017.”

That’s all great. How long before we see those players? How good will they be by the time they get to the Major Leagues? And how long will they stay here if they are good?

Those are entirely different questions.