Whether it’s depth or insurance, fans love JuJu Smith-Schuster’s return to Chiefs
The Chiefs will need to get their roster down to 53 players this week, and they prepped for that by ... adding a wide receiver.
That may sound odd, but receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has returned to the Chiefs.
Spotrac said the Chiefs would be on the hook for just $1.2 million of salary because Smith-Schuster was released by the Patriots. He had signed with New England after helping the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII.
The #Chiefs are likely getting JuJu Smith-Schuster at his veteran minimum $1.21M for 2024, as the #Patriots are on the hook for $7M minus whatever he earns elsewhere this season. https://t.co/1HDinsminJ
— Spotrac (@spotrac) August 26, 2024
Smith-Schuster, 27, caught 78 passes for 933 receiving yards and three touchdowns while with the Chiefs in the 2022 season. He had 10 receptions for 89 yards in the Chiefs’ three playoff games.
With New England, Smith-Schuster appeared in 11 games in the 2023 season, catching 29 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots released Smith-Schuster earlier this month.
The Chiefs’ wide receiver room will look much different from the 2023 season.
They signed wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown as a free agent during the offseason and picked Xavier Worthy in the first round of the NFL Draft. And the Chiefs have second-year receiver Rashee Rice, who was a solid contributor during the playoffs en route to the Super Bowl LVIII championship.
Some fans, however, believe the Chiefs will be without Rice and that’s why they are signing Smith-Schuster.
Rice was involved in a six-car freeway crash in March and is facing eight charges in the case. The NFL hasn’t announced disciplinary action for Rice, but some see Smith-Schuster as insurance should the league hand down a suspension.
Other Chiefs fans were just thrilled to have Smith-Schuster back in the fold. Here is what people in Chiefs Kingdom were saying Monday.
Since nobody asked...love the JuJu signing...he raises the floor of the room and he's obviously a guy both Andy and Pat trust.
— 3PETE (@SD3pete) August 26, 2024
Love this Welcome home JuJu!
(Much better option than Skyy or Toney) https://t.co/6Ex1mL8Xsu— Nick Price (@NickPriceKC) August 26, 2024
I mean anyone who has a brain knows it doesn’t correlate with Rashee frfr the signing is definitely just for depth especially since it’s looking more likely that Toney will get cut and probably for another body in blocking Juju was a good blocker when he was here https://t.co/6d6oiFApEY
— ky (@MargielaKy) August 26, 2024
Have to imagine Rashee is getting suspended https://t.co/xaozv2smus
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) August 26, 2024
we’ll see what he has left, but he can be depth behind/possible temporary fill-in (suspension?) for Rashee Rice in what I like to call KC’s “JuJu” role (drags, screens, sit routes, YAC-oriented) https://t.co/n6f9VLqtfH
— Brent Schwartz (@BrentSchwartzz) August 26, 2024
The @Chiefs signing JuJu means they either know Rashee’s suspension and it just hasn’t been announced yet, or Hollywood’s injury is going to end up sidelining him more than originally expected. Otherwise there’s no reason to sign him.
— Kyle (@Fidgets808) August 26, 2024
Rashee Rice insurance. Perfect reunion. Last time JuJu was a Chief, Patty won MVP https://t.co/TKhazyQLYU
— AJ King (@allday_ajking) August 26, 2024
It really does feel like insurance for Rice missing 2-3 games
Which I'm honestly shocked we're this close to the season and I haven't heard anything about it yet— Stoned Uncle Booster (@Booster_Grey) August 26, 2024
There we go best wide receiver core ever with mahomes
— milesatchley (@Kaep4Heisman) August 26, 2024
Welcome back JuJu #ChiefsKingdom
— The Real Avery Lynch (@YoungBull_Lynch) August 26, 2024
Those four plus Watson and Mecole is extremely solid
— Ryan Andrade (@Ku_Bball_Fan) August 26, 2024
Welcome home Juju! Him back to Kansas City is a great start to the week today!
— Dennis Johnson (@denniskelvinjo) August 26, 2024
I love this move! He was a huge reason for our success on 2022
— natebabb86 (@natebabb86) August 26, 2024
Chiefs has the one of the best wide receiver cores in the NFL, WELCOME BACK JUJU!! @TeamJuJu pic.twitter.com/iku7f8eJH2
— (@Xenonerds) August 26, 2024
Juju on That Beat ️️ #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/K2ywU88Vba
— (@lajvcquelina) August 26, 2024
This is either related to an incoming Rice Suspension, or, we really want a depth upgrade over Justyn Ross.
Breaks my heart as a Ross stan, he’s probably the odd man out along with Toney. But this could be a good move if Juju plays remotely close to his 2022 form. https://t.co/jhW4Gxw3v3— Master Chief (@MasterChiefs15) August 26, 2024
Now I am Really ready for KC Chiefs Football I love Juju and I hope big things happen for him and The Chiefs
— jenny lynch (@jennylynch506) August 26, 2024
welcome back juju!! @TeamJuJu #ChiefsKingdom https://t.co/2H6TyBf610
— * (@kilIermermaid) August 26, 2024
With Rice, Juju, and Kelce you have some great options for destroying zones. Should open things up for Worthy, Brown, Hardman, etc. Gives them some nice options to stress defenses.
— Dr. Ronald Chevalier (@Nick_Sheahon) August 26, 2024