When the Chiefs' wide receiver corps got bit by the injury bug in 2024, they brought back a familiar face in JuJu Smith-Schuster to help out.
Just two seasons prior, Smith-Schuster led all Kansas City WRs in receptions (78) and receiving yards (933). In 2023 he had an injury riddled year with the New England Patriots, and just couldn't get any momentum going with them.
This past year with the Chiefs Smith-Schuster was a rotational player who made minimal impact on the field. His biggest performance came in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints when he caught seven passes for 130 yards. Unfortunately, he injured his hamstring the following week, which cost him the next three games.
When he returned, Smith-Schuster didn't catch more than two passes in a single game. Despite that, the Chiefs still decided to bring him back. While speaking to the media on Tuesday, Smith-Schuster explained what keeps drawing him back to play for Kansas City.
"It's the whole thing," Smith-Schuster said. "I think it's a little bit of the owner, with Andy Reid and his staff that he has. Being able to let me play to my potential. I feel like being in that offense has helped my career and in so many different ways. It's just fun. The guys I get to play with, my teammates. It makes our job a lot easier to do all that. But same time, I enjoy playing here. I enjoy the fans. I enjoy everything that comes with Kansas City."
One advantage Smith-Schuster will have in 2025 will be getting to go through the Chiefs' full offseason program, whereas in 2024 he joined the team just before the start of the regular season. Smith-Schuster went on to explain how that will help him.
"When you start off in OTAs, you kind of build that relationship with your new teammates and coaches," Smith-Schuster said. "And you kind of get a feel for everyone on this journey. And I feel like OTAs and going into (training) camp, that everything that builds up. The scars, the bruises you're going through throughout those training camps, and being able to go into the season like, alright, we've been through worse. We know what it takes. Last year, I didn't get to experience that, but it's going to be a lot different when I have that opportunity to go through this again with the team."
Injuries have been the biggest obstacle of Smith-Schuster's career. If he can find a way to stay healthy, combined with going through the Chiefs' full offseason program, he could have a bounce back year in 2025. Smith-Schuster is still just 28 years old and has proven that he can play well in Reid's offense.
As things stand now, he appears to be the No. 4 WR behind Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, and Xavier Worthy. If another WR emerges for K.C., it's possible Smith-Schuster doesn't wind up on the 53-man roster come September.
