The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense faced difficulties at times last year, mainly due to numerous injuries at the wide receiver spot. Still, one player, JuJu Smith-Schuster, played the entire season.
There’s no doubt JuJu Smith-Schuster is one of my favorite Chiefs players on the current roster. He played a key role in Kansas City’s win in Super Bowl LVII, and this past season, he served as a mentor to Xavier Worthy.
Now, his numbers were well below his previous years in the NFL, but considering his one-year gap playing with the New England Patriots in 2023, he was eager to rejoin the Chiefs last season when the AFC East released him.
Analyzing JuJu’s performance last season, he played the slot and behaved more like a Tight End than a wide receiver. That’s not a slam on his productivity the previous year. It’s a compliment because, as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top receiver, he’s adjusted to his new role even in 2023.
It’s clear how vital he is to the Chiefs’ offense. With all the shifting and personnel packages in Andy Reid’s complex scheme, JuJu was selfless in blocking and acting as a decoy for Travis Kelce and Worthy.
However, he also made some big catches for Kansas City last season.
This year, with both Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice returning from injuries, the Chiefs’ wide receiver room is filled with talent. The team also drafted Utah State standout Jalen Royals. The recent fourth-round pick has similar traits to a younger Smith-Schuster.
Either way, Patrick Mahomes has the best receiving group of his incredible career. It’s a mix of speed, youth, experience, and veteran savvy he can trust down the stretch and into the postseason.
Even though Smith-Schuster is only 28 years old, he’s entering his ninth NFL season. The former top pick of the Steelers in 2017 has built a remarkable career. While he may not be as fast or shifty as he was earlier, his NFL IQ remains exceptional.
Furthermore, given his willingness to teach and his upbeat personality, it’s hard to root against him.
Some suggest he might be on the roster bubble, but I don’t see it, especially given Brown’s injury history. While they have different roles in the offense, when you need a first down late in a game or to keep a drive going, JuJu is priceless.
Although he had options to sign with another NFL team during free agency, he chose not to go elsewhere. His comfort with Mahomes, Kelce, and Head Coach Andy Reid highlights his willingness to accept a lower salary to remain with the Chiefs.
He mentioned that being part of this franchise feels like being at home, so it’s an emotional pull that endears him to the fan base.
I have no idea if he’ll improve his 2024 stats (18 receptions, 231 receiving yards, and 2 TDs), but I suspect those numbers might go up this season.
With camp opening in three weeks, one thing is an absolute: JuJu will bring that smile, positive attitude, and maximum effort throughout camp to prepare for the 2025 season.
