Three years ago, JuJu Smith-Schuster was one of the hottest free agents on the market. He had opportunities elsewhere but chose Kansas City because he wanted to win the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs and Smith-Schuster accomplished that task in 2022 with Smith-Schuster playing a key role, catching 78 passes for 933 yards and three touchdowns. Smith-Schuster then signed with the Patriots in 2023, but injuries slowed him down and he wound up back with the Chiefs, signing one-year deals in 2024 and 2025. His role has also changed from his first season with the team as he’s now a mentor to youngsters Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.
“I’m happy to be back here playing with the guys here,” Smith-Schuster said Wednesday as the team continued preparations for Friday’s preseason finale against the Bears at Arrowhead Stadium. “It feels great. It feels like home, the barbecue and everything that goes with it.
“This offseason I took a lot of focus on myself and my shape and my health to be able to come out here. And the older you get, you have to compete with these young guys. And it’s nice that the motivation is still here and the fire in my heart. KC’s fun. I enjoy it here, not just the team, but the fans and the people.”
Throughout camp Smith-Schuster has routinely spent an hour after practice or meetings working with the young guys trying to get their plays down. He said he does it because when he was a rookie with the Steelers, the veterans did it for him and he’s happy to return the favor.
“This is their livelihood,” Smith-Schuster said. “They’ve been playing football since they were kids and the more they can get out of a veteran, it bodes well for the future.”
Smith-Schuster, though, is still young. At just 28, he likely has several productive years ahead of him, and one could be this season. While Rice and Worthy are locks to be starters, Hollywood Brown has had a long history of injuries, and he’s battled an ankle injury all preseason.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Brown’s availability for Friday is a little up in the air, but added he doesn’t want him to have any setbacks with the regular season fast approaching. And that’s exactly why the Chiefs see veteran Smith-Schuster as an integral part of the team.
“I feel great going into the season,” Smith-Schuster said. “And wherever I can help at and fill in the void to keep these guys going. It’ll be a long season, and with our schedule the way it is, super exciting. First game of the season in Brazil, I’m super excited about that and I’m just trying to stay on course.”
