There was mutual interest in him returning in 2023, but the Patriots offered him a deal Kansas City couldn’t match. Ultimately, he’d last just one year in New England and was released before the 2024 NFL season. Kansas City quickly scooped him up with preseason the injury to Hollywood Brown.

Now, he’ll return again on a one-year deal, providing depth, stability, and veteran leadership in a fairly young receiver room.

Smith-Schuster finished the 2024 NFL regular season with 18 receptions for 253 yards and two touchdowns. Most of that production came in Week 5 when he caught seven passes for 130 yards. A hamstring injury cost him the next three games, and when he returned, he was buried on the WR depth chart behind Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins, and Justin Watson.

Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) celebrate with fans after a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

When Hollywood Brown returned for the playoffs, it gave him even more competition. He didn’t catch more than two passes in any of his final 11 games of the year. He posted just four receptions for 76 yards during the playoffs.

A big reason Smith-Schuster will return is to provide insurance if WR Rashee Rice isn’t ready to start the 2025 NFL season due to his knee injury or a potential suspension. Smith-Schuster slotted into a similar role for Kansas City and has proven that he’s good for a few big games, even with his injury history and drop in production over the past two years.