Earlier this offseason, the K.C. Chiefs took a couple big cuts in free agency in the hopes of improving their team. While the team is vastly improved in multiple spots than they were a few months ago, the reality is that they also swung-and-missed on some bigger targets like left tackle Trent Williams and wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster.
With regards to the former, the Chiefs ended up doing quite well for themselves by trading for Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. While the trade cost them a first-round pick, the team was still able to bring in a Pro Bowl level performer who is much younger. While Williams would have been the prize, the team still came out with one of the NFL’s better option as a left bookend—a player who is still very much growing into his potential.
As for the latter, the Chiefs never quite came up with a different answer at wideout other than adding some further competition via the draft and free agency. The Chiefs did draft Clemson wideout Cornell Powell in the fifth round and they also signed a slight pass catcher in former Notre Dame receiver Chris Finke. However, neither of those acquisitions really move the needle at the position.
Smith-Schuster turned down more money from the Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens in order to return to Pittsburgh, and at the time, the move was a bit of a head scratcher. Clearly Smith-Schuster was going to have to take a single-season deal in this free agent market, but he was betting big on himself with a team with an aging quarterback in an offense that was clearly going to focus more on the run. Still, it didn’t matter. The greater money and opportunities in more prolific offenses paled in comparison to returning to where he was a known quantity.
JuJu Smith-Schuster reveals why he re-signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Recently Smith-Schuster explained his decision to go back to the Steelers instead of agreeing with the Chiefs or Ravens.
"“The cap is the cap, that’s something you can’t hide and it is what it is. Betting on one year, I had other deals on the table, but I want to bet on myself. I think next year the cap is going to be higher and you know, fun fact, the Steelers are one of the teams that are going to have a bigger cap next year. I’m just looking into the future. I’m fine with the one year deal and playing with the guys I’m going to play with. Come back to coaches that I have real good relationships with. I know them, they know me and it’s going to make my job much easier this year.”"
Smith-Schuster sounds like a player who wants to even continue on in Pittsburgh after this coming season, and perhaps he’ll find a way to enhance his stock enough this year to nudge the front office to do so. Then again, he’ll be competing with Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson as well for targets from Ben Roethlisberger as the team also develops Najee Harris in the backfield.
As for the Chiefs, it will be interesting to see if they keep the competition as it is heading into training camp. With Mecole Hardman growing into year three and Byron Pringle grasping for more opportunities, there are young receivers who could fill the role. Demarcus Robinson would also like to be included in that conversation for more targets. Then of course, there are the developmental names often tossed around like Joe Fortson, Marcus Kemp, Antonio Callaway, Dalton Schoen, Gehrig Dieter, Chad Williams, Tajae Sharpe and more.
As it turns out, Smith-Schuster proved that money alone isn’t the only thing that “talks” in the NFL. Sometimes it’s about fit and comfort, even if more dollars are in play.