PITTSBURGH — The answer was decidedly on brand.

Asked on Monday what he brings to the Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver room as the longest-tenured member of the group despite still being just 23, JuJu Smith-Schuster sounded very much like the kid he still is.

“I am definitely the guy that is trying to make everyone laugh and enjoy their job,” Smith-Schuster said. “Making the best out of it. I think there are days where we are tired or we are down and feel like we just don't want to do it, but I am the guy that comes in and says, `Let's go, man. Let's have fun today, make the most out of it.' Like I said, we are always lit.”

The underlying question heading into 2020, however, is for how much longer will it stay lit, at least in Pittsburgh? Smith-Schuster isn't sure.

For all of his popularity, production and self-confidence — a troika that's made his No. 19 jersey one of the team's best sellers since he splashed onto the scene in 2017 still too young (20) to legally buy alcohol — Smith-Schuster has been in the NFL long enough to understand how the business side works.

He's been good. At times really good. He's also entering the final year of his rookie deal. The Steelers historically do not negotiate contract extensions once the regular season starts. The clock is ticking to get something done. Smith-Schuster insists he won't let his long-term status affect his short-term goals.

“Contract-wise, that is between my agent and the Steelers,” he said. “At the end of the day ... I am just here to play ball. I am not going to be the type of guy that sits out and waits. I am going to play regardless if there is a contract or not.”

There's plenty to play for following the first significant speed bump of his football life. The de facto No. 1 receiver after the team dealt Antonio Brown to Oakland in March 2019, Smith-Schuster's third season in the league was a myriad of setbacks and inconsistency.

Defenses focused on shutting down Smith-Schuster after he caught 111 passes while making the Pro Bowl in 2018. He finished with just 42 receptions last year.