Pro Bowl vast receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster inked a multi-year contract with the New England Patriots in March.
It was considerably of unusual transfer contemplating he spent the 2022 season with the Kansas City Chiefs, the place gained Super Bowl LVI. The Chiefs reportedly tried to maintain Smith-Schuster on the roster, however he in the end determined to move to New England.
Now, the 26-year-old is shedding some mild on what factored into his determination to go away.
Kansas City Chiefs vast receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, #9, speaks to the media throughout the NFL Super Bowl LVII Opening Night on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023 at Footprint Center in Phoenix. (Adam Bow/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Images)
Smith-Schuster held a media session with reporters and revealed that the possibility to play beneath longtime Patriots coach Bill Belichick was one thing that attracted him to New England.
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Smith-Schuster was drafted by the Steelers within the second-round in 2017. Playing within the AFC helped him achieve familiarly with Belichick early on in his profession.
During his rookie 12 months, Smith-Schuster recalled Belichick instructing the protection to double-team him. The double-team technique grew to become a typical theme going ahead when Pittsburgh matched up in opposition to New England.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs, reacts after a play in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles throughout the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on Feb. 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Smith-Schuster stated being double-teamed by Belichick left him feeling revered.
“One factor I’ve discovered enjoying in opposition to Bill is that if he ever double-teams you, you’re a key participant in his eyes,” Smith-Schuster stated Tuesday.
“So again then when he was doing that, I checked out it like, ‘OK, he respects my sport, and he respects me.’ Being in a position to circle again round in Year 7 to be right here, it reveals that he nonetheless has respect.”
Pittsburgh Steelers vast receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, #19, walks amongst his teammates as they stretch throughout an NFL soccer observe, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Smith-Schuster additionally expressed confidence when he spoke in regards to the expertise on the Patriots and the crew’s possibilities of successful in 2023.
“Most undoubtedly, most undoubtedly. We undoubtedly have sufficient,” Smith-Schuster stated.
“We’ve acquired guys who can run down the sector. We’ve acquired guys that may do a variety of various things. What’s loopy about this offense that I did not find out about till I acquired right here was that there is guys that play each methods. There’s guys that may play receiver, that may play within the backfield, and seeing that you may have so many various weapons with these gamers, it simply offers Mac these alternatives to do no matter he desires.”
Smith-Schuster determined to wager on himself by signing a one-year contract with the Chiefs final offseason. It paid off, as he produced a stable season in Kansas City. He will now possible be thought of Jakobi Meyers alternative in New England.
Meyers had a breakout season in 2021 and had been one of many Patriots most efficient vast receivers over the previous couple of years. In March, he departed New England and signed a three-year take care of the Raiders.
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