The Kansas City Chiefs clearly wanted a reset to their wide receiver depth chart, parting ways with Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency. While Brown quickly landed with the rival Philadelphia Eagles, Smith-Schuster has had a far tougher time finding a new NFL home, remaining a free agent even after this year's draft. It speaks to Kansas City making the right decision, as the veteran faces an uphill battle to find a new roster spot.
Smith-Schuster finished the 2025 season with 345 receiving yards and a lone touchdown, numbers that would typically be considered a productive season in a reserve role. However, Chiefs fans are well aware that the bulk of this production should be credited to Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, who got the most out of a player who appeared to be aging quickly.
While Kansas City had previously breathed life into the veteran's career, there was an obvious regression in the 2025 season. Smith-Schuster appeared a step slower and often looked lost on the field, leaving him unable to find the explosive ability and physicality that helped the pass catcher enjoy great production early in his career.
This serves as a clear answer that under no circumstances should a reunion be on the table for the Chiefs. Even with the current question marks surrounding the team's depth chart at the position, there needs to be an effort to get young and more athletic, and Smith-Schuster isn't helping this cause.
Chiefs Clearly Made the Right Decision as JuJu Smith-Schuster's Free Agency Stint Continues
While Smith-Schuster is likely going to garner another opportunity at some point, we are very quickly nearing the end for the veteran. Any new landing spot is likely to be a desperate team hoping the veteran can turn back the clock and offer cheap production.
This is an impossibility without Mahomes and Reid to prop up a receiver whose ongoing free agency suggests the rest of the league already suspects it. The best path for the receiver could be waiting for a camp injury to provide a possible landing spot as depth on a contending team.
Regardless of where the receiver lands, it wouldn't be a surprise to see his free agency continue well into the summer if Smith-Schuster wants any level of security from his next contract. The clear physical regression and lack of consistent production have left teams wary and only willing to add the veteran out of desperation. While this might seem harsh for a receiver who had a handful of great moments in a Kansas City uniform, it is the reality of a league focused on the next season rather than the past accomplishments of a receiver who appears to be nearing the end.
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