Getty Image / Erica Denhoff
Throughout this offseason, it has been no secret that the New England Patriots were in need of a wide receiver.
Over the past few years, the Patriots have had one of the league’s most disappointing receiver rooms.
That led to them being linked to potential trades for wide receivers like DeAndre Hopkins and jerry Jeudy.
Instead it appears they’ve found one through free agency.
Juju Smith-Schuster revealed on Twitter that he is signing with the Patriots after spending last season with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Excited for my next chapter in New England! I will give this organization everything I have, thank you for believing in me! 🙏🏾🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/EwOxy7L7yz
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) March 15, 2023
According to Ian Rapoport, the deal is worth $33 million over 3 years.
The #Patriots are giving WR JuJu Smith-Schuster a 3-year deal worth $33m, source said. A big investment.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2023
Juju finally gets the longer commitment he has been looking for after spending each of the past 2 seasons playing on 1-year “prove it” deals.
His most recent season was the best he has had since his 2nd in the league. As the top wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, Smith-Schuster made 78 catches for 933 yards and 3 touchdown as part of a Super Bowl-winning roster.
It was a strong year, but some fans find themselves still waiting for him to recreate the magic of his 2nd season in the league.
That year, he posted an impressive 111 catches for 1426 yards and 7 touchdowns as the Steelers’ 2nd option alongside Antonio Brown.
If the New England Patriots can find a way can get him anywhere near that level again, he could be the player to give them their first 1000-yard receiving year since 2019.
He’ll need to overcome a downgrade at quarterback to do it, but maybe this move is what he needed to top 1000 yards for the first time since 2018.