JuJu Smith-Schuster is back like he never left.
Earlier this month, the New England Patriots moved on from their most notable free agent signing of the 2023 offseason, releasing veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
He would not stay on the market very long, as Smith-Schuster, who signed a three-year, $25.5 million contract with the Patriots last offseason, took his talents back to the Kansas City Chiefs this week.
Just in: The #Chiefs are signing WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, per @Schultz_Report. A reunion with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. pic.twitter.com/C7zL3cft0J
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 26, 2024
With training camps over, this was the best decision for JuJu Smith-Schuster as he is already familiar with the team, the players, the coaches, and, most importantly, the playbook.
With the Chiefs in 2022, the former Pro Bowl wide receiver hauled in seven catches for 53 yards during the team’s victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57.
For that year, Smith-Schuster had 78 catches for 933 yards and three touchdowns.
The 27-year-old now has a solid chance to have yet another good season and possibly get another deal before he hits the age of 30. It would do him some justice to either stay with Patrick Mahomes or find a team that has an established quarterback that gives him the best chance to showcase his talents.
JuJu Smith-Schuster Failed To Meet Expectations As A Member of The Patriots
Smith-Schuster joined the Patriots as a free agent during the 2023 offseason after having a good year with the Chiefs that led to a Super Bow victory.
The 2018 Pro Bowl wideout failed to meet expectations during his first year, hauling in only 29 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown in 11 appearances.
Just to get him off the roster, New England decided it was worth it to take on about $9.63 million in dead money by releasing Smith-Schuster, per Over the Cap.
