Patriots ANALYSIS Free Agency: Sign Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster; What’s Expected?

Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is expected to significantly raise the productivity of the New England Patriots wide receiver corps.

FOXBORO -- The New England Patriots may be bringing a bit of flamboyance to Foxboro in 2023. 

At least, to their wide receiver room. 

Per NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, the Patriots are expected to sign former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith Schuster to a three-year, $33 million deal.

The six-year veteran spent his first five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, quickly becoming one of the team's most productive receivers. He signs a one-year, $10 million contract with the Chiefs in the 2022 offseason. He finished the year with 78 receptions for 933 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. In Kansas City's 38-35 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, Smith-Schuster caught seven passes for 53 yards.

The 26-year-old USC product should provide an instant upgrade to the Patriots corps of wide receivers. 

Jakobi Meyers led all receivers in yards with 804 and six touchdowns, further establishing himself as the team’s top pass-catching option. Meyers agreed to contractual terms with the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday. 

Conversely, Smith-Schuster appears excited to get to work in New England. Just moments after his signing with the Pats was reported, he has a message for Patriots Nation. 

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

Despite being among the most maligned positional groupings on the team last season, the unit performed well enough to provide hope at the position heading into 2023.  DeVante Parker, in his first season with New England, caught 47 passes, three of which went for scores. 2022 rookie Tyquan Thornton has the ability to be a vertical threat and should improve in his second year with the team. Lastly, veteran Kendrick Bourne is expected to assume a more prominent role in a new-look Patriots offense, led by new coordinator Bill O'Brien and quarterback Mac Jones.

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