Chiefs Lose Second Leading Pass Catcher

JuJu Smith-Schuster Leaves Chiefs for Patriots, Citing Bill Belichick

Chiefs Lose Second-Leading Pass Catcher

JuJu Smith-Schuster, who emerged as the Kansas City Chiefs' second-leading pass catcher behind Travis Kelce last season, has departed the team in free agency. Smith-Schuster, a six-year veteran, left the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 after several down years following his breakout campaign in 2018.

Belichick's Influence

In a recent interview, Smith-Schuster revealed that New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick played a pivotal role in his decision to join the team. "Coach Belichick has a reputation for being one of the greatest coaches in the game," Smith-Schuster said. "I want to learn from him and be a part of what he's building here."

Despite the Chiefs offering a competitive contract, Smith-Schuster ultimately chose the Patriots due to Belichick's presence. This move marks a significant loss for the Chiefs, who will now need to find a replacement for Smith-Schuster's production.