Breaking: Chiefs sign in Patriots favorite player in a blockbuster deal.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, a former standout receiver at USC, is returning to the Kansas City Chiefs in a big way after agreeing to a new contract on Monday. This reunion represents the most recent phase of a career that has experienced its share of highs and lows.
Smith-Schuster, who was instrumental in the Chiefs’ 2022 Super Bowl victory, was delighted to see himself back in uniform at practice on Monday, as reported by ESPN. Smith-Schuster had a successful prior season with Kansas City, catching 78 catches for 933 yards.
The journey hasn’t been smooth since then, though. Smith-Schuster inked a three-year, $25 million contract with the New England Patriots following his excellent season with the Chiefs.
However, his stint at Foxboro was brief, as on August 9 he was released by the Patriots. The Patriots still owed him $7 million, and he was a big offseason addition under former head coach Bill Belichick, so this move was unexpected for two reasons.
The release has a significant financial cost: New England will have to pay an extra $2.6 million in 2025 on top of the $9.6 million dead cap fee that it is currently facing. Smith-Schuster’s season in New England was marred by injuries, which may have played a role in his sudden departure. He was a valuable addition, but he failed to live up to the team’s expectations, which resulted in his dismissal.
Smith-Schuster played for the Pittsburgh Steelers for five seasons before to joining the Patriots. In 2018, he had a stellar year with 111 receptions for 1,426 yards. Smith-Schuster and his former Trojan colleague Adoree Jackson were both outstanding players at USC.
He had a stellar rookie campaign, hauling in 54 passes for 724 yards and five scores. Among his honors were being named to the Pac-12 First Team and the Second Team All-American in 2015. Jackson, who is well-known for his outstanding collegiate career, won the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in the country after an outstanding 2016 campaign that included 46 solo tackles, five interceptions, and 11 passes defended.
