Chiefs Studios Features: Former Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is now a free agent

Chiefs headlines for Saturday, August 10

The latest
How the Chiefs’ Louis Rees-Zammit is tackling the transition from rugby to the NFL | The Athletic (nytimes.com)

“I can’t wait to see the difference,” Rees-Zammit said.

His true “welcome to the NFL” moment, when the intensity level surprised him, came the morning of July 28, which was the Chiefs’ third consecutive padded practice. Rees-Zammit’s one-on-one drill that day was one every running back in the NFL has had to endure: The blitzing linebacker or safety charging into the backfield, the lone assignment for the running back is to prevent the defender from reaching the quarterback.

Across from Rees-Zammit on the field was linebacker Cole Christiansen, who like Rees-Zammit is trying to earn one of the final spots on the Chiefs’ initial 53-man roster. With quarterback Patrick Mahomes holding the ball in the pocket, Christiansen attacked from the B gap. Upon impact, Rees-Zammit lost his leverage and found out just how badly he could lose a pass-blocking rep. Christiansen de-cleated Rees-Zammit.

“It’s very physical,” Rees-Zammit said after Wednesday’s practice. “I’ve had to learn to adapt and lower my body height. In rugby, that’s not too much of a big deal. The blows you take here are pretty big. To be honest with you, it’s a completely different sport.

Louis Rees-Zammit: Who is the Welshman set to make his NFL debut for Kansas City Chiefs? | BBC News

Why did Louis Rees-Zammit join the NFL?

Rees-Zammit hinted at his future ambitions in a BBC documentary which aired last September.

“Rugby’s been amazing to me, and it’s given me everything I ever wanted. But I want more than that. I want more than rugby,” he said.

In preparation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, he travelled to the US city of Atlanta where he worked with Chip Smith, a performance coach who trains pro-athletes - including thousands of NFL players.

Months later, in January 2024, he said that after “careful consideration” he would be joining the NFL’s IPP, a 10-week crash course designed to teach the skills to succeed in the league.

“I would like to reiterate that this does not necessarily mean I am retiring from rugby,” he said at the time.

32 Thoughts on the Biggest Talking Points for the 2024 NFL Season | Bleacher Report

Kansas City Chiefs: I know we sing this song annually right around now, but I’m concerned about the support the Chiefs are currently offering Patrick Mahomes. Justin Watson, Xavier Worthy and Kadarius Toney have already missed time, and it’s never great to see the elite Chris Jones hurt. The Chiefs face some obvious obstacles as they embark on an attempted threepeat.

Patriots cut JuJu Smith-Schuster after one disappointing year | USA Today

The move comes one day after Smith-Schuster played 11 snaps and was not targeted once in the team’s preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers.

Smith-Schuster, 27, signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Patriots last offseason. The 6-1, 215-pound former Pro Bowl target was set to step in to a receiving corps that lost Jakobi Meyers, who led New England in 2022 in both catches and receiving yards, to the Las Vegas Raiders.

But Smith-Schuster posted career lows of 29 catches and 260 yards while appearing in just 11 games for the Patriots. He told reporters during organized team activities that he never fully recovered last year from offseason knee surgery, which he underwent after helping lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl.

NFL 2024 All-Under-25 Defensive Team: Super Bowl champion Chiefs, rising Lions lead way with two players | CBS Sports

CB: Trent McDuffie (23)
McDuffie was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL last season, as he earned First Team All-Pro honors after recording 80 combined tackles, three sacks, seven passes defended and a whopping five forced fumbles. He also recorded the most QB hits by a cornerback since the stat was first tracked in 2006 with nine, and quarterbacks completed 46% of passes for zero touchdowns and two interceptions when McDuffie was fired off the edge by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

Around the NFL

Falcons HC Raheem Morris: Michael Penix ‘had a really good night’ in preseason debut | NFL.com

The well-seasoned collegiate star stepped onto the field and proved his greatest strengths made the jump with him from Washington to the NFL. Penix looked comfortable in the pocket, delivered most of his passes on time and unsurprisingly relied on his live arm to get the job done, whipping on-target throws on his way to a 9-for-16, 104-yard performance in Atlanta’s 20-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

“It felt good to go out there and compete with my brothers,” said Penix, who the Falcons took eighth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. “Just having fun out there and playing the game I’ve been playing since I was 5-years-old. So, no nerves, no jitters, just ready to go.”

Ravens undrafted rookie QB Emory Jones fumbles the game away on his only snap | NBC Sports

Jones spent the entire game on the bench — until there were 16 seconds left, the Ravens got the ball at their own 40-yard line with the game tied, and coach John Harbaugh decided to see what Jones could do. Jones came in for his first snap, dropped back to pass, got hit, fumbled, the Eagles recovered in field goal range, and kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired.

After the game Harbaugh said he hopes it’s a learning experience for Jones.

“He feels bad about it, but he’s just starting out,” Harbaugh said. “Learning experience for him. The speed of this game is a little different. Going in, first snap, that’s a tough situation to be in. He’ll learn from it. It’s preseason, you try to learn as much as you can from these situations. He’ll be better for it. He’s a conscientious guy, wants to do well, he’s a good dude. Really works hard. One of those guys who takes responsibility for this stuff. He’ll be fine.”

In case you missed it on Chiefs Studios

Chiefs Roster: Trends up and down ahead of matchup vs. Jaguars

Bulls

Left tackle Kingsley Suamataia: I’m ready to call this one. The Chiefs will feature the rookie as their starting left tackle this season. Yes, that’s a prediction, but it’s backed up by nearly everything we’ve seen coming out of camp. Kingsley Suamataia appears to have earned the starting role as he shows off his athleticism and his progress. He’s getting the bulk of the first-team reps over Wayna Morris (who is both the backup left tackle and learning other positions).

Linebacker Drue Tranquill: Maybe the most energetic and passionate presence at Chiefs camp is the veteran linebacker who returns for his second season in Kansas City. Tranquill was a key addition last year, helping to elevate the defense into one that could carry this team into the postseason. The loss of Willie Gay Jr. to free agency means that more will be expected of Tranquill and Leo Chenal. Based on recent reports coming out of St. Joseph, Drue Tranquill should be excited to mix it up with opponents instead of teammates. He appears poised for a big season.

Social media to make you think

2024:
Juju Smith-Schuster: released
Marquez Valdez-Scantling: likely released
Kadarius Toney: 5th string on the Chiefs depth chart
Skyy Moore: fighting for a roster spot
Mecole Hardman: signing league minimum deals in June

Patrick Mahomes with those weapons in 2023: pic.twitter.com/1ILk4shH2u— Price Carter (@priceacarter) August 9, 2024

Follow Chiefs Studios on Social Media

* Facebook: Click here to like our page

* AP Instagram: Follow @ArrowheadPride

* AP on X: Follow @ArrowheadPride

* AP Staff on X: see complete list

* 610 Sports on X: Follow @610SportsKC

https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2024/8/10/24217345/arrowheadlines-former-chiefs-receiver-juju-smith-schuster-is-now-a-free-agent?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger