NFL veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster signed a new contract with the New England Patriots. Smith-Schuster spent the 2022 season with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Smith-Schuster spent the first five seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Same numbers as Jakobi Meyers… https://t.co/J0ii40AEJ8
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 15, 2023
JuJu Smith-Schuster, New England Patriots, Agree to Contract
Smith-Schuster was a key playmaker for the 2022 Chiefs team. He led all Chiefs receivers in receptions, yards, and targets. The 26-year-old wide receiver put a cherry on top of the season with a great Super Bowl performance. All in all, he recorded seven catches for 53 yards and was a part of the controversial call that all but ended the game.
The Steelers drafted Smith-Schuster in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was the youngest player drafted at the time, just 20 years old. In his first two seasons, Smith-Schuster recorded exceptional stat lines. As a rookie, he caught 58 passes for 917 yards and seven touchdowns. In his second NFL season, he caught 111 passes for 1426 yards and seven touchdowns. His big play ability showed frequently, recording receptions of 97 yards in each season and a 96-yard kick return for a touchdown. He is the youngest wide receiver to reach 2,500 yards receiving.
As much as he showed potential in his first two seasons, the next three were a disappointment. Injuries derailed Smith-Schuster’s third season. Consequently, he recorded only 42 receptions for just over 550 yards. Despite being the number one receiver in Pittsburgh, Smith-Schuster has not recorded a 1000-yard season since 2018. Following another injury-riddled season in 2021, Smith-Schuster signed with the Chiefs for 2022.
Generally considered a top receiver on the market last year, it was a shock when Smith-Schuster signed a one-year, 10.75 million dollar contract. He became the de facto wide receiver one in Kansas City and had his best season since 2018. Smith-Schuster has a very successful social media presence centered around video games and his dog, Boujee.
Main Image: Denny Medley-USA TODAY
