The Kansas City Chiefs offseason has seen the additions of many potential impact players in free agency and last week’s NFL draft. There were various departures at the start of free agency, including veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster after one season in Kansas City.
After five years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chiefs were an ideal fit for Smith-Schuster. He had instant chemistry with Patrick Mahomes finishing the 2022 season with 78 catches for 933 yards and three touchdowns. Smith-Schuster recently spoke with reporters revealing his reason for leaving Kansas City for the New England Patriots.
“Honestly, Bill (Belichick), man,” Smith-Schuster said. “Being at a place where he’s a great head coach, and as far as everything else goes, I just feel like I fit here.”
Smith-Schuster was a vital member of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning season in 2022, but he signed a three-year, $33 million deal to join the Patriots this offseason.
“When I was in Pittsburgh for five years, we crossed paths multiple times. I respect his game. One thing I’ve learned playing against Bill is that if he ever double-teams you, obviously, you’re a key player in his eyes. So I think back then when he was doing that, I saw it as, ‘OK, he respects my game. He respects me.’ Being able to circle back around in Year 7, to be here, kinda shows that he still has that for me.”
Smith-Schuster goes from Andy Reid to Belichick when the Patriots are still finding their way post-Tom Brady. Since Brady’s departure, the Patriots have been 25-25 and missed the postseason in two out of three seasons.
