The Kansas City Chiefs clearly have been in desperation mode over the last three weeks of the season, attempting to claw their way back into playoff positioning. This failure has exposed a clear need for roster improvement, which includes a receiver room that seems to be top-heavy. Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy are clearly long-term contributors; however, the rest of the depth chart is clearly in need of a shake-up, including veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster.
With the season on the line over the last four games, the Chiefs went 1-3 while Smith-Schuster managed only three catches for 15 yards. This is telling of where the pass catcher is in his career and why it is clearly time to turn the page. Despite his shortcomings as a receiving option at this stage of his career, Smith-Schuster is never shy about doing the dirty work and fighting as a blocker or a ball-carrier.
No matter the situation, there is no denying the heart and hustle that Smith-Schuster displays when given a chance, just as there is no denying that his time with Kansas City has run its course. The receiver failing to make an impact clearly points to the fact that it is time to move on and shake up a roster that has appeared lifeless and uninspired in the season's biggest moments.
JuJu-Smith Schuster Clearly Needs New Landing Spot After 2025 Season
On the season as a whole, the numbers for the pass catcher are far better, with 27 catches for 304 yards and a single touchdown. However, this is yet another example of an inconsistent aging player who has defined the receiver room in recent seasons. It is time to bring in new talent and force Rice and Worthy to fight for their spots and feel a bit of heat from the depth chart behind them. Obviously, this won't happen with Smith-Schuster or any other receiver currently rostered.
This speaks to a level of apathy that understandably sets in when a team has enjoyed the level of success of the Chiefs. There seemed to be a level of expectation that they could look closer and closer over the edge of failure without falling. The 2025 season has proven this false with the Chiefs owning a record of 6-7 and clearly having very little chance of making the playoffs.
If there was ever a reason to shake up the roster and make wholesale changes, it is the 2025 season. A year that clearly should be Smith-Schuster's last, as the aging receiver was unable to accomplish anything in the biggest moments of the year.
With this in mind, it seems likely that the veteran will be pushed out in favor of an upgrade or a rookie with an unknown ceiling. Regardless, Smith-Schuster's time in Kansas City has run its course.