Through nine weeks of the season, Juju Smith-Schuster’s contract with the Chiefs has turned into one of the best signings in the league. Smith-Schuster has established himself as a key part of the Kansas City passing attack, and the former second-round pick recently said that he’d love to stay with the Chiefs for the long haul. However, are the Chiefs in a position to sign Juju Smith-Schuster to an extension?
Should the Kansas City Chiefs Extend Juju Smith-Schuster?
Impact on the 2022 Chiefs
While they play dramatically different roles in the offense, Juju Smith-Schuster is a big reason why the offense has managed to remain one of the NFL’s best units even without Tyreek Hill. Travis Kelce is obviously the star of the show, but Smith-Schuster has firmly established himself as the much-needed second option in the passing game.
Through the first eight games of the season, the former Pittsburgh Steeler has recorded 44 receptions for 582 yards and two touchdowns. These are obviously solid numbers, but volume stats don’t always tell the whole story. Fortunately, his efficiency numbers are just as impressive.
Earning targets is a skill in the NFL, and Smith-Schuster’s 21.6% target share and 20.3% air yard share prove that the Chiefs trust him to get the ball often and make the most of his opportunities. Smith-Schuster has risen to the challenge, as his 2.09 yards per route run is the 25th-best mark in the league. Additionally, his 71.7 PFF grade is 32nd in the NFL, tied with Mike Williams, and in the same neighborhood as guys like DeVonta Smith, Terry McLaurin, and Michael Pittman.
Nobody is saying that Juju Smith-Schuster is a future All-Pro, but it’s clear that his one-year, $10.75 million contract was an absolute steal, especially in this wide receiver market. Smith-Schuster will only be 26 at the start of the 2023 season, so it stands to reason that the Chiefs would love to have him back. However, everything in this world has a price, and there is a decent chance that Smith-Schuster has priced his way out of Kansas City with his impressive play.
What Would A Juju Smith-Schuster Extension Look Like?
In a typical year, we could look at Smith-Schuster’s age, numbers, and projected value to make an educated guess at what he might receive on the open market. However, this is no ordinary year. The wide receiver market exploded last year, as Christian Kirk’s massive contract completely changed how teams valued the position.
If this wasn’t just a one-year blip, then Smith-Schuster might be too expensive for the Chiefs. Kansas City was able to sign Smith-Schuster to a team-friendly deal in large part because he was coming off a season-ending injury and the whithered corpse of Ben Roethlisberger made him a lot worse than he was. The Chiefs ensured teams won’t make that mistake again, so he should have a much stronger market this time around.
Additionally, there is a strong case to be made that Smith-Schuster will be the best receiver to hit free agency. This is a weak crop of free agents, as Smith-Schuster, Jakobi Meyers, and Allen Lazard are the only proven above-average playmakers set to earn a massive payday. As arguably the best receiver on the market, Smith-Schuster will likely try to exceed Christian Kirk’s four-year, $72 million contract, and there’s a chance a team will be willing to make that financial commitment.
If Smith-Schuster can get that type of money, then the Chiefs will have no choice but to watch him go. However, if he can’t get that type of contract, then their maximum offer will likely be influenced by Kadarius Toney. The Chiefs need two reliable weapons in the passing game, and if Toney can establish himself as a genuine threat, then Smith-Schuster becomes less valuable. If, however, Toney remains exciting but inconsistent, then the Chiefs will likely be willing to spend up for Smith-Schuster.
