JuJu Smith-Schuster‘s tenure with the Patriots did not go to plan, but he will spend the 2024 campaign looking to rebuild his value with a familiar team. The veteran wideout is signing with the Chiefs, as first reported by veteran insider Jordan Schultz. 
Smith-Schuster spent the 2022 campaign in Kansas City after his five-year Steelers spell. His first Chiefs deal carried a value of $3.76MM on a one-year accord as he looked to earn a long-term investment on the open market the following season. The 27-year-old had the second most productive season of his career with Kansas City (78 catches, 933 yards), earning himself a payday from the Patriots.
Looking to add at the receiver spot, New England made a three-year, $25.5MM commitment to Smith-Schuster. Expectations were high for the former second-rounder, but he was dealing with a knee injury for much of the campaign. Playing at less than 100% – and as a member of one of the league’s least-productive offenses – he only managed a statline of only 29-260-1. That left Smith-Schuster as a cut candidate, and earlier this month the Patriots did indeed move on despite his 2024 base salary ($7MM) being fully guaranteed.
Kansas City’s latest Super Bowl win came in spite of inconsistent play at the receiver position, so it came as little surprise the team’s offseason was defined in large part by efforts at bolstering the position. Marquise Brown was added on a one-year deal in free agency, while Xavier Worthy was selected in the first round of the draft. Brown could be sidelined for the start of the season through injury, though, and uncertainty looms regarding a potential suspension being levied against Rashee Rice. Regardless of what happens on that front, Smith-Schuster will represent another, familiar option in the passing game.
Kadarius Toney – who has one year remaining on his rookie contract – is known to be on the Chiefs’ roster bubble. Reuniting with Smith-Schuster is certainly not a positive sign for his ability to avoid being cut or traded in the next two days, but it remains to be seen how Kansas City will proceed. For Smith-Schuster, meanwhile, another low-cost deal no doubt awaits him but he has the potential to again boost his market with a strong Chiefs campaign.