NFL teams around the country are beginning their offseason workouts at their facilities and while no "proper" footballing activities are taking place, it's still an important part of the year...just ask Kansas City Chiefs' Juju Smith-Schuster.
This is the time of year when bonds are made and chemistry is built so that when training camp rolls around, teams can hit the ground running, which puts them in a better position to begin the regular season well.
Sometimes, players don't show up to OTAs for various reasons, but for most, whether you are just walking around the building, being inside with your teammates matters.
"When you start off in OTAs, you build that relationship with your new teammates, the coaches, and you get a feel for everyone," Smith-Schuster said. "OTAs, going into camp, everything builds up all the scars, the bruises you're going through throughout those training camps, and being able to go into the season knowing we've been through worse.
"Last year I didn't get to experience that, I came in at the beginning of the season, but it was still nice though because everything was still very similar, some things were changed, but it's going to be a lot different when I have that opportunity to go through this again with the team."
Perhaps the lack of cohesion was the reason for Smith-Schuster's poor season. From 14 games, he managed just 18 receptions for 231 yards and two touchdowns in what was his worst return since 2021, when he played just five games due to a shoulder injury.
But now, with a clear runway for the offseason, Smith-Schuster knows the benefits of getting on the field day in, day out, and building the chemistry - with QB Patrick Mahomes and the rest - that will be built on throughout the season.
While some don't think OTAs have that much value, Juju clearly thinks otherwise as he prepares to hit the ground running in 2025.
