In an exciting turn of events, the Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly brought back veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on a one-year deal. This news comes from reports by Jordan Schultz and NFL media, indicating that Smith-Schuster is returning to the Chiefs after a successful stint with the team in the 2022 season.
Smith-Schuster originally joined Kansas City after spending five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His impact was felt immediately, as he recorded 933 receiving yards and three touchdowns during the 2022 season, helping the Chiefs secure a Super Bowl victory. This stellar performance led to him signing a lucrative three-year, $33 million contract with the New England Patriots in the offseason.
Unfortunately, Smith-Schuster’s time with the Patriots was plagued by injuries. Dealing with a knee issue, he only appeared in 11 games, totaling 29 receptions for 260 yards and one touchdown. This ultimately led to his release from New England on August 9.
Now, Smith-Schuster finds himself back in Kansas City, likely on a minimum-level deal due to still being owed $7 million from his previous contract with the Patriots. His return provides the Chiefs with a familiar face and a reliable receiver, offering veteran experience to a wide receiver group that includes promising young talent like Rashee Rice, recovering veteran Marquise Brown, and rookie Xavier Worthy.
With Smith-Schuster back in the mix, the competition for roster spots in the Chiefs’ wide receiver room is heating up. As the team approaches the final roster cutdown to 53 players, his presence adds another layer of intrigue to an already competitive position group. It will be interesting to see how Smith-Schuster’s return impacts the team’s offensive strategy and roster decisions as they gear up for the upcoming season.