JuJu Smith-Schuster has set himself up for a nice payday this offseason. He had a very good season playing with the Kansas City Chiefs and catching passes from league MVP, Patrick Mahomes.
JuJu Smith-Schuster caught 78 passes for 933 yards and three touchdowns during the regular season. It was the most yardage he has had in a season since his sophomore campaign in 2018 and third most receptions in a season.
He did a wonderful job of rehabbing his value after signing one-year deals for the last two off-seasons. A disastrous 2021 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers put him on that path, but he bounced back nicely and should be able to secure a multi-year deal this offseason.
This year is the perfect time for JuJu Smith-Schuster to be hitting the open market. With so many star-caliber players signing extensions last year, this year’s free-agent class is lacking star power. That means landing a long-term, lucrative contract will be much easier than it was on the flooded market the last two offseasons.
There are plenty of teams that will be in the market for wide receiver help this offseason. JuJu Smith-Schuster has shown that he has the skill set to line up all over the formation. He excels in lining up in the slot and working short and intermediate routes, but he can win on the outside as well.
The USC product will bring physicality to any team that he joins as he is willing to do the dirty work in the middle of the field. Another area in which he excels is in the run game, as he isn’t afraid to mix it up and get his hands dirty as a blocker.
Where could he end up this offseason? Teams such as the New York Giants and Chicago Bears, desperate for wide receiver help, have been mentioned as suitors. However, a former NFL executive that spoke to NFL Analysis Network believes JuJu Smith-Schuster will remain in the AFC West.
“The Chiefs are going to try to bring him back and that seems the most likely scenario. However, the Chargers are a team to watch closely. I would not be surprised to see him end up in L.A. as a new weapon for Justin Herbert.”
With Keenan Allen likely on his way out of town as a cap casualty, the Los Angeles Chargers are going to need to find someone to help replace Allen’s production. The team will likely have a bigger role in store for Joshua Palmer, but bringing in another veteran such as JuJu Smith-Schuster would make a lot of sense.
This would be a nice addition for the Chargers, as it not only strengthens their offense but it would weaken one of their division rivals. Kansas City is going to do whatever it can to retain JuJu Smith-Schuster, but with other pressing needs on the roster, he could price himself out of town.
