According to multiple reports, the New England Patriots are signing Kansas City Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. That makes a fourth free agent lost for the Super Bowl champions this season, joining the likes of Andrew Wylie, Mike Burton and Khalen Saunders.
Smith-Schuster only joined Kansas City last season, though they had an interest in adding him in 2021 as well before he opted to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 26-year-old will finish his Chiefs career with 78 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdowns, becoming a champion in Super Bowl LVII in the process.
Smith-Schuster has already tweeted about his latest chapter.
Excited for my next chapter in New England! I will give this organization everything I have, thank you for believing in me! 🙏🏾🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/EwOxy7L7yz
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) March 15, 2023
There was reported to be mutual interest in Smith-Schuster making a return to Kansas City in 2023, but the team knew they’d have a tough time keeping him around as the top receiver on the free agent market and one of the few who produced a near-1000-yard receiving season. The Patriots gave Smith-Schuster a three-year deal worth $33 million, which is on par with what Allen Lazard and Jakobi Meyers both received earlier this week.
The Chiefs will now pivot and look to the remaining group of receivers in free agency and the 2023 NFL draft.
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