JuJu Smith-Schuster expected to sign with Patriots

JuJu Smith-Schuster is expected to take his talents to Foxborough to play with Mac Jones and the Patriots.

JuJu Smith-Schuster was hoping for a chance to rebuild his value for a season with the Kansas City Chiefs in ’22, and as free agency opened on Wednesday, it appears he did just that. NFL reporter Ian Rapoport says Smith-Schuster is expected to sign a new contract with the New England Patriots shortly.

Smith-Schuster’s new deal is for a reported $33 million over three seasons. The move will give quarterback Mac Jones a new target after losing Jakobi Meyers to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency.

Smith-Schuster joined the Chiefs last spring on a one-year “prove-it” deal intended to reset his value on the open market. Credit to Smith-Schuster for being able to do just that. Not only did he check off every incentive in his contract to actually make a very healthy amount in 2022, but he was able to earn a new multi-year deal after being forced to take a low-risk single-season deal from Brett Veach just last spring.

For the Chiefs, Smith-Schuster cemented himself as a popular teammate and reliable option for Patrick Mahomes fairly quickly. In the wake of the loss of Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs needed someone to move the chains and make defenses regret keying in too much on Travis Kelce. The results were great for both sides as Smith-Schuster came very close to his second 1k-yard season of his career.

Smith-Schuster finished with 78 catches for 933 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns last season in 16 games for the Chiefs.