The Kansas City Chiefs are making an interesting move by adding veteran depth to a position where they may not seem to need it in the long run. However, former Pro Bowl wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is making his return to the two-time defending titlists, as reported by multiple sources. Smith-Schuster previously played for the Super Bowl 57 champions during the 2022 season, where he had an impressive 78 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games.
“We just want him to get healthy,” said Pats rookie coach Jerod Mayo when discussing Smith-Schuster’s departure and his lackluster 2023 season. “He still has some good ball left in him.”
Smith-Schuster had signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Patriots in 2023. With $7 million already owed to him for the 2024 season by New England, Smith-Schuster would receive the veteran’s minimum of $1.2 million from the Chiefs if he remains on the team this year, with the Patriots covering the remainder of his salary.
The wide receiver spent his first five seasons, including his standout 2018 Pro Bowl year playing opposite All-Pro wideout Antonio Brown, with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the Steelers in the second round in 2017 out of USC, but has not been able to reach his career highs from the 2018 season where he had 111 catches for 1,426 yards.
The question remains, why would the Chiefs take a chance on an aging player who is potentially declining and coming off an injury-shortened season?
Rashee Rice, the Chiefs’ WR1 as a rookie, had an impressive season with 79 catches for 938 yards and a team-leading 7 touchdowns. However, Rice’s future in the NFL is uncertain as he may face league discipline after being involved in a serious car accident in Dallas where he was driving at nearly 120 mph. The charges against him include aggravated assault, collision involving serious bodily injury, and multiple counts of collision involving injury. The NFL typically waits until the legal process has concluded before imposing any suspensions.
With Rice’s uncertain future, the addition of JuJu Smith-Schuster could provide valuable depth and experience to the Chiefs’ receiving corps as they look to defend their championship title.
