After what appeared to be an endless free agency search, veteran receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has found a new landing spot other than the Kansas City Chiefs. Smith-Schuster signed with the New York Giants on a one-year deal for the veteran minimum, making it clear that New York is maintaining all the control in the situation. While it's good to see Smith-Schuster get a chance to continue his career, it's with a franchise that has set the veteran up for failure and clearly isn't going to offer him a meaningful role.
New York was forced to add to the position due to Gunner Olszewski suffering a season-ending injury in OTAs and both Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton rehabbing. This led to the franchise not only adding Smith-Schuster, but Odell Beckham Jr., whose obvious history in New York and higher upside are going to offer the pass-catcher a much more viable opportunity.
Baked into this is the fact that Braxton Berrios, Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields, and Calvin Austin were all added to the position this offseason. Add in the fact that both Slayton and Nabers are expected to make early-season returns, and there simply isn't a viable path for Smith-Schuster to contribute at any level of note.
Former Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster picked poor landing spot in New York
It seems very probable, based on the concerning fit, that Smith-Schuster simply had no other choices based on last season with Kansas City. The 29-year-old finished with 345 receiving yards and a lone touchdown on the year. While these numbers aren't bad for a tertiary option, what they don't tell is the clear lack of burst and the struggle to create space. Kansas City fans saw just how much work that Smith-Schuster had to put in to get opportunities and how much of this was on the shoulders of Patrick Mahomes.
Jaxson Dart remains a bit of an unknown, but unquestionably isn't anywhere close to the talent of Mahomes. This, along with the fact that the Giants simply have more consistent and talented options at the positions, paints a clear picture of the uphill battle ahead of Smith-Schuster not only to play a role but to make the roster at all.
The contract that the Giants handed the receiver allows the team to easily cut the former Chief if they believe there are better options. It seems that this is an incredibly likely scenario, with the best way it can play out being Smith-Schuster defying the odds and making a roster where he will be buried on the depth chart. No question, this is a huge downgrade from Kansas City and appears destined to end badly.
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