Ex-Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster to Sign with Patriots
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is on the move, as he has agreed to a three-year contract with the New England Patriots, as first reported by https://twitter.com/TaylorBisciotti/status/1636079004141883393″>Taylor
Bisciotti of NFL Network.
Smith-Schuster confirmed the signing in a post to social media.
“Excited for my next chapter in New England!” https://twitter.com/TeamJuJu/status/1636080417391648768″>he
wrote. “I will give this organization everything I have, thank you for believing in me!”
The contract is reportedly a three-year, $33 million deal, which is the same amount that ex-Patriots receiver Jakobi Meyers agreed to with the Las Vegas Raiders. The $11 million annual average value of the contract represents a steep raise for the former Steelers wideout. Smith-Schuster played under consecutive one-year contracts in 2021 and 2022, earning $8 million in Pittsburgh in 2021 and $3.7 million in Kansas City in 2022.
That rebound comes after a resurgence in Kansas City playing with Patrick Mahomes in 2022. On the way to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII win, Smith-Schuster had 101 targets for 933 yards and three touchdowns. His 9.2 yards per target was the second-most since his rookie season, and he caught a career high 77.2% of his targets. The Chiefs wanted to retain Smith-Schuster, but were not able to match his salary amid a salary cap crunch.
The exuberant star, still only 26 years, who once ran afoul of Mike Tomlin for his behavior on social media in Pittsburgh, will also have to coexist with noted grump, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
In New England, Smith-Schuster will hope to help in the development of young Pats quarterback Mac Jones, who had an up-and-down 2022 season.
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