JuJu Smith-Schuster Reportedly Joins Contender After Patriots Release

For the second time in his NFL career, JuJu Smith-Schuster will look for rejuvenation in Kansas City.

Smith-Schuster is expected to sign a new contract with the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs, as first reported by league insider Jordan Schultz. The news of the deal broke 17 days after the veteran wide receiver was released by the Patriots, who feature one of the weakest receiving corps in the NFL.

The 27-year-old is coming off a nightmarish season in New England, where he only caught 29 passes for 260 yards with one touchdown over 11 games in 2023. Plagued by apparent injuries, Smith-Schuster was cut one season into the three-year, $33 million deal he signed with New England in March 2023.

The 2017 second-round pick will vie for more success in Kansas City, where he caught 78 passes for 933 yards with three touchdowns in 2022. Smith-Schuster also was an impact postseason player for Patrick Mahomes and company that campaign, highlighted by his seven receptions in the Chiefs' shootout win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.

Kansas City seemingly signed Smith-Schuster for insurance, as offseason signing Marquise "Hollywood" Brown is dealing with a shoulder injury. But Mahomes still has plenty of dangerous weapons at his disposal, including all-world tight end Travis Kelce and dynamic rookie Xavier Worthy.