A signing has to go both ways to happen. The team has to want the player and vice versa. The Kansas City Chiefs have made their longing to employ JuJu Smith-Schuster clear on a continual basis year after year. And to hear the veteran receiver talk about his career, it's clear he feels at home in K.C. as well.
The Chiefs re-signed Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal in free agency to help bolster the wide receiving corps and to keep a valued asset on the roster for another Super Bowl run. While the terms weren't exactly lucrative—$1.4 million—Smith-Schuster sounded happy to be back at Arrowhead for a number of reasons.
Smith-Schuster met with Chiefs media this week ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft to discuss a few topics. When asked about the draw to come back to Kansas City, he had nothing but great things to say on all fronts.
JuJu isn’t just chasing another Super Bowl. He’s hungry for bigger numbers, bigger plays, and a bigger role in the Chiefs' offense.
"Honestly, I think it's the whole thing," said Smith-Schuster. "I think it's a little bit of the owner with Andy Reid and his staff that he has, being able to let me play to my potential. And I feel like being in this offense has helped my career in so many different ways. But it's just fun. Right? The guys I get to play with, my teammates on the offensive side, it makes our job a lot easier for them to do all that.
"But at the same time, I enjoy playing there. I enjoy the fans. I enjoy everything that comes with Kansas City," he continued.
The Chiefs brought back Smith-Schuster last season in an early-season signing after his release from the Patriots to counter some of the injuries that plagued the position. For the Chiefs, it was a no-brainer trade to ensure offensive continuity with a player already familiar with the system and beloved by coaches.
This year, Smith-Schuster not only wants to help the Chiefs add another ring in 2025, he also has some personal goals of greater production.
"Contribute to the team." said Smith-Schuster when asked about his hopes for the new year. "I want to be obviously helping every aspect I can possible. At the same time, I want to be able to play ... being able to score more touchdowns, more yardage, more catches. Obviously, in my career, that's definitely what I want and to help this team as much as possible."
The Chiefs originally brought in Smith-Schuster as a free-agent signing before the 2022 season after unsuccessful attempts to lure him in the year before. He responded with an impressive year with 78 catches for 933 receiving yards and 3 scores. He then departed for New England for a three-year deal in free agency.
Smith-Schuster had 18 catches for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2024 for the Chiefs.