The Kansas City Chiefs are reinforcing their wide receiver lineup, adding experienced players despite already being well-staffed in that area for the long term.

Former Pro Bowl receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is making a return to the two-time champions, having played with the Super Bowl 57 winners in the 2022 season, according to various reports. He registered 78 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdowns across 16 games that year.

At 27 years old, Smith-Schuster was let go earlier this month by the New England Patriots, where he recorded 29 catches for 260 yards and one touchdown over seven games in 2023.

“Our focus is on getting him healthy,” explained Patriots rookie head coach Jerod Mayo regarding Smith-Schuster’s exit and his underwhelming 2023 performance.

“He has more good football ahead of him.”

In 2023, he signed a three-year deal worth $25 million with the Patriots. As he is already owed $7 million for 2024, if he remains with Kansas City, he would receive the veteran’s minimum of $1.2 million from the Chiefs, with the Patriots covering the remainder of his salary.

Smith-Schuster began his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played five seasons and made a Pro Bowl appearance in 2018 alongside All-Pro Antonio Brown. He was drafted in the second round in 2017 out of USC but has not replicated his impressive 2018 stats (111 receptions, 1,426 yards) since then.

So, what motivates the Chiefs to add an older player who may not be at his peak anymore and is coming off an injury-plagued year?

▶ One key offseason addition, receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, has been sidelined due to a sternoclavicular injury suffered on August 10, potentially keeping him out for about a month.

▶ Rashee Rice, the Chiefs’ top rookie receiver from last year (79 catches for 938 yards and a team-high seven touchdown receptions), is facing probable NFL disciplinary actions after being involved in a six-car accident in Dallas while driving a Lamborghini at nearly 120 mph, according to police. He is charged with aggravated assault and other serious offenses. The league usually issues suspensions after the legal resolution is reached.

▶ The Chiefs have also selected speedy receiver Xavier Worthy, who posted a remarkable 4.21-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine this year, in the first round of the draft. Other players, including Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney—who have been somewhat disappointing—Justin Watson, Justyn Ross, and Super Bowl 58 hero Mecole Hardman, are in contention for remaining spots on the roster. An opportunity could present itself if Brown goes on the injured reserve list or Rice faces penalties.

The Chiefs will kick off their title defense against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium, the team they defeated in the 2023 AFC Championship game, during the 2024 regular-season opener on September 5.

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Stay updated with YSL News Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ByNateDavis.