Patriots WR JuJu Smith-Schuster: Pats, Mac Jones Have ‘Something Special’
FOXBORO — The New England Patriots chances for contending in a stacked AFC in 2023 are apparently more dismal than a dense fog off the coast of Cape Cod.
However, New England’s newly-acquired wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is not buying into what the armchair analysts have already deemed as a near-certain finish at the bottom of the AFC East.
During his first meeting with the media since signing a three-year contract worth $33 million, the 26-year-old said he has been quite impressed by what he’s seen since first walking through the Gillette Stadium doors.
"We have something special here,” Smith-Schuster said. “I feel like it’s going to show. It’s going to show this year.”
The six-year veteran is no stranger to successful NFL franchises. Smith-Schuster spent his first five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, quickly becoming one of the their most productive receivers. He signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2022 offseason, where he finished the year with 78 receptions for 933 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. In Kansas City's 38-35 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, Smith-Schuster caught seven passes for 53 yards.
Still, the USC product sees a palpable difference in strategy from either of his previous career stops.
“I definitely am studying more and I am getting the offense down,” Smith-Schuster acknowledged. “The terminology is different than what I’ve learned in the past. These coaches are really, really smart when it comes to football … knowing the game and knowing defense terminology to such an extent.
“If you saw what we study, we should get a college degree for doing that.”
While the New England atmosphere already seems to agree with him, Smith-Schuster is finding himself most impressed by both the team’s style and strategy under offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
“The playbook is amazing, honestly. It’s great,” Smith-Schuster shared. “Bill [O’Brien] is great, he’s a great coach and he makes everyone feel welcome and excited. Just happy to be apart of the team but also just ready to work.”
Smith-Schuster possesses the ability to routinely gain yards after the catch — which, in theory, should endear him to O’Brien. In fact, per NFL Next Gen Stats (as transcribed by Pats Pulpit, SB Nation), Smith-Schuster earned 141 yards above expectation last season — the fifth-highest number in the league. Smith-Schuster ranked ninth in the league with an average of 5.8 yards-after-catch per reception. By comparison, the entire Patriots’ receiving corps combined gained just 33 yards after the catch in 2022.
Of course, Smith-Schuster’s impact on the Patriots will determined largely in part by the relationship he has with presumed Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. Despite the efforts of those committed to doubling-down on debunked narratives, the Pats and coach Bill Belichick are reportedly moving forward with the third-year Alabama product as their top option heading into training camp. Though the pair have yet to participate in an official practice together, Smith-Schuster is quite confident that Jones is the right fit for the Patriots offense.
"He was in the building [the day after I signed] just putting in the time to work,” he recalled. “He's a hard working guy, very smart at what he does and working on his craft …
“For Mac, the sky is the limit. With the guys that we have here and all the weapons, it’s going to be a fun year."
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