How Patriots coaches view new signing’s role in New England
New England Patriots offseason addition JuJu Smith-Schuster won’t be pigeonholed on his new team. The free-agent signing said Tuesday on 98.5 The Sports Hub that the Patriots plan to use him in multiple roles on offense. “It’s a little bit of everything,” Smith-Schuster said. “Them giving me the opportunity to go inside, outside. I think […]
New England Patriots offseason addition JuJu Smith-Schuster won’t be pigeonholed on his new team.
The free-agent signing said Tuesday on 98.5 The Sports Hub that the Patriots plan to use him in multiple roles on offense.
“It’s a little bit of everything,” Smith-Schuster said. “Them giving me the opportunity to go inside, outside. I think what Bill (O’Brien) does bring to the table is being able to dominate on the offensive game plan, and me coming in and filling those roles, obviously they see potential in what I can do."
Smith-Schuster is essentially replacing Jakobi Meyers, who signed a three-year, $33 million contract as a free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason, in New England’s offense. Meyers also played outside and in the slot. Smith-Schuster’s three-year contract is worth up to $33 million but has a base value of $25.5 million.
Smith-Schuster also disclosed the reason he signed with the Patriots in the first place.
"To be honest, it was (head coach Bill) Belichick, man," Smith-Schuster said. "Just the want and the need and the position that I can fill there really caught my attention, and I felt that like that was the (biggest) thing: feeling wanted in a place where I played against a head coach who have a lot of respect for. And I just think that goes a long way."
Smith-Schuster has played for two very good head coaches in one-time Super Bowl champion head coach Mike Tomlin with the Pittsburgh Steelers and two-time Super Bowl champion head coach Andy Reid with the Kansas City Chiefs. Belichick has won eight Super Bowls total and six as a head coach.
Smith-Schuster wasn’t the only free-agent pass-catcher signed by New England. The team also brought on board tight end Mike Gesicki in free agency.
Featured image via Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
