JuJu Smith-Schuster is uncertain what to expect in second go-around with Chiefs

Someone sounds happy to be back in Kansas City.

As JuJu Smith-Schuster took to the podium to answer questions from reporters at Arrowhead Stadium, the veteran receiver was clearly glad to be a member of the Kansas City Chiefs once more, having signed again with the team that employed him straight through Super Bowl LVII in the 2022 season.

Smith-Schuster signed another one-year deal to return to the Chiefs after only fulfilling a single season of his three-year contract with the New England Patriots. The Pats released Smith-Schuster in early August after deciding early in the preseason to go young at the position after multiple draft investments. Smith-Schuster sat for a few weeks but the Chiefs came calling with an offer shortly before roster cuts were due.

JuJu Smith-Schuster is happy to be back in K.C. but admits he's not quite sure about the role he'll play just yet.

When asked by team reporters about the chance to return, Smith-Schuster wasn't short on reasons for coming back to K.C. given the success of his first run. It also helped to be familiar with so much coming into a new season so quickly.

"Just very familiar with the offense," he said.. "Very familiar with Andy Reid, Pat, the guys, so just being in this facility makes your job a lot easier than going to somewhere new where you kinda have to learn everything very quickly. The hardest part for an offensive player is going into a new system and learning a whole new playbook."

As for his year away from the team, Smith-Schuster said he still kept in touch with his former teammates and coaches, even as he watched them win a second consecutive Super Bowl from afar. "All these guys are my friends, so we always touch base here and there. Got to see them last year, too, when the guys came down to Boston and played there. So yeah, I’ve always kept in touch with these guys."

Smith-Schuster called it a "tough" decision to leave in the first place, but the chance to earn life-changing money is always the dream of any pro athlete. He also said it was "really awesome" to be coached by Bill Belichick, even if the season was a frustrating one overall.

As for his expectations for this season, Smith-Schuster says it's too soon to say. He knows the wide receiver room has changed fairly dramatically since he last played with the Chiefs and he's still learning some of the newer verbiage and plays. For anyone wondering what to project for Week 1, he says it's "too early to say."

"I just got the playbook and some things have changed. Taking it day by day. You never know," he said.

"This is a great offense. You have so many weapons now. Honestly just happy and glad to be a part of it, this offense, and be in it. Just for me, like I said, it’s just getting used to the playbook and just trying to see where I fit in. Whatever that may be, wherever coach wants to use me, I’m ready."