Could JuJu Smith-Schuster leave the Steelers for the Chiefs in free agency?

JuJu Smith-Schuster has been a fan favorite in Pittsburgh, but here’s why a report suggests he could leave the Steelers to join the Chiefs in 2022. 

JuJu Smith-Schuster did not have the season he envisioned when he signed with the Steelers on a one-year contract over the 2021 offseason. The former 2018 Pro Bowl wide receiver was coming off two straight down years and was hoping to bounce back with a strong performance this past season.

Sadly, JuJu was able to play in just five games before his season was cut short. Though he was surprisingly able to return to the field for Pittsburgh’s Wild Card game against the Kansas City Chiefs, his impact on the contest was remarkably low.

Even if Smith-Schuster had been able to play the entire 17-game season in 2021, he was on the pace for just 438 receiving yards and 0 touchdowns. This was certainly a season that JuJu would like to forget, and I can’t help but wonder if he regrets signing with the Steelers last offseason.

Now an unrestricted free agent for the second time in two years, Smith-Schuster has a chance to make a different decision the second time around. Recently, Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network talked to a source who said that JuJu has an interest in joining the Chiefs. Here’s some of what the report had to say:

"Veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster nearly joined the Kansas City Chiefs a year ago before opting to remain with the Pittsburgh Steelers.He signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Steelers instead of a one-year, $8 million offer from the Chiefs that included $3 million in incentives.Now that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has retired, Smith-Schuster is interested in potentially joining the Chiefs again. It’s no secret in NFL circles with multiple league sources saying Smith-Schuster hopes to join the Chiefs as a free agent and has expressed that desire."

In theory, it’s not hard to see why JuJu Smith-Schuster would have an interest in joining Kansas City via free agency this offseason. If these reports are true, it’s hard to expect him back with the Steelers in 2022.

JuJu would be wise to leave Steelers for Chiefs

I don’t have an issue with JuJu Smith-Schuster sticking around on a deal in Pittsburgh — assuming the contract numbers are right. However, I really do believe it would be in JuJu’s best interest to leave town; particularly, to join the Chiefs.

While JuJu wouldn’t be peppered with targets in Kansas City with legendary receiving options like Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce already in place, Smith-Schuster could serve as a quality third option in the passing game that could exploit the defense underneath while some of the fastest receivers in the league are taking the top off the secondary.

What JuJu would be getting is a massive boost in target quality from Ben Roethlisberger to Patrick Mahomes as well as much more scoring opportunities on the NFL’s most high-powered offense.

If JuJu does elect to join the Chiefs, signing a one-year deal and betting on himself once more could be an investment that pays off. While he looked like just an average slot receiver in Pittsburgh over the past few years, JuJu is going to have much more opportunity to run after the catch and make plays with the ball in his hands on a team like Kansas City.

The Pittsburgh fan base loves JuJu for how genuine and sincere he has been, but the Steelers have no clue what their QB situation is going to look like, and Smith-Schuster could really set himself up for long-term success by joining the Chiefs in free agency.