KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs signed vast receiver Juju Smith-Schuster on Monday, reuniting with a veteran vast receiver who helped Kansas Metropolis win the Tremendous Bowl two years in the past simply sooner or later earlier than all NFL groups should attain the 53-player roster restrict.
Smith-Schuster was again in his acquainted No. 9 jersey for follow as temperatures in Kansas Metropolis approached triple digits.
Smith-Schuster was launched from the Patriots earlier this month, one yr into his three-year, $25 million contract. He performed one season in Kansas Metropolis in 2022, catching 78 passes for 933 yards and three touchdowns. It ended with a visit to the Tremendous Bowl, the place Smith-Schuster caught seven passes for 53 yards in a 38-35 win over the Eagles.
“(Linebacker) Nick Bolton was saying he was getting remedy on the desk right this moment and mentioned, ‘That voice is acquainted,’ and appeared up and he was like, ‘What’s up brother!’” Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill mentioned of Smith-Schuster. “I hear he is an important participant. He and Pat (Mahomes) have nice chemistry. He’ll be a key addition for us.”
The Chiefs had one of many least-productive vast receiver teams within the NFL final season, after they beat the 49ers for his or her second straight title. They tried to rectify it by signing Marquise Brown in free company and drafting Xavier Worthy within the first spherical, however Brown’s availability for the beginning of the season is in query after he dislocated his shoulder within the preseason.
The Chiefs open the common season in opposition to the Ravens on Sept. 5 in a rematch of the AFC championship sport.
They nonetheless have Rashee Rice, a breakout star a yr in the past, however he is been coping with authorized issues in Texas. At this level, it doesn’t seem an NFL suspension will happen earlier than the season, however it may very well be handed down ultimately.
Justin Watson, Skyy Moore and Mecole Hardman are also more likely to make the crew when rosters are trimmed Tuesday, however that leaves a seventh vast receiver spot accessible. Kadarius Toney has handled penalties, psychological errors and dropped passes in his time in Kansas Metropolis, whereas Justyn Ross has been unable to grab the job when given probabilities within the preseason.
Smith-Schuster would supply one other veteran presence in an in any other case younger vast receiver room. He is caught 430 passes for five,048 yards and 30 touchdowns throughout seven seasons within the league, the primary 5 of them spent with Pittsburgh.
The 27-year-old’s greatest season was 2018, when he made the Professional Bowl with 111 catches for 1,426 yards and 7 scores.
NOTES: DT Chris Jones (shoulder), OT Wanya Morris (knee) and RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (private) have been again at follow on Monday. Brown and CB Josh Williams (hamstring) didn’t take part, whereas RB Louis Rees-Zammit left early with a again problem and TE Irv Smith Jr. and RG Trey Smith left early due to the warmth.
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