Former Steeler and Chief wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster is heading to the Patriots on a three-year deal worth $33 million with $22.5 million coming in the first two years. NFL Network’s Taylor Biscotti was first with the report.
In a weaker wide receiver free agent class, Smith-Schuster was considered one of the best available options on the market, and he’s found a new home in the AFC East. One of the other top names at the position, Jakobi Meyers, left New England for the Raiders on Tuesday. So Smith-Schuster is a natural replacement — playing both in the slot and outside — and will serve as Mac Jones’ WR1 in an offense lacking solid weaponry.
In his one and only season in Kansas City, Smith-Schuster posted a line of 78-933-3 on 101 targets, which was the second-highest output after his 2018 sophomore breakout for the Steelers. He played through some knee injuries last year, but did assist his team in hoisting the Lombardi Trophy with seven receptions for 53 yards in the biggest game of the season.
Smith-Schuster took to social media shortly after the deal was announced, tweeting this out to all who follow the NFL wideout.