Kansas City, MO. As the offseason begins to unfold, the Kansas City Chiefs could be preparing to move on from another veteran contributor on offense.
With free agency approaching in March, several players across the league are waiting to hear from their teams regarding potential new deals.
In Kansas City’s case, however, the silence from the organization has already sent a strong message to one veteran wide receiver.
That player is JuJu Smith-Schuster, who recently shared that he has not heard from the Chiefs since the season ended.
According to Smith-Schuster, neither he nor his representatives have been contacted by the team’s front office since the conclusion of Kansas City’s season, leading him to believe that his time with the franchise has likely come to an end.
“I haven’t heard anything from the team since the season wrapped up,” Smith-Schuster said when discussing his contract situation. “At this point, I believe I’ve played my final game in Kansas City.”
The veteran receiver is currently finishing a one-year contract worth approximately $1.42 million, which he signed in March 2025 after returning to Kansas City following a stint with the New England Patriots.
During the 2025 season, Smith-Schuster appeared in 17 games, recording 33 receptions for 345 yards and one touchdown. The year prior, in 2024, he played 14 games with 18 catches for 231 yards and two touchdowns, including a standout performance against the New Orleans Saints where he produced 130 receiving yards.
While his statistical production has declined compared to earlier years in his career, Smith-Schuster has continued to provide value through his blocking ability and familiarity with head coach Andy Reid’s offensive system.
However, the Chiefs are reportedly exploring ways to refresh their wide receiver room with younger and more explosive playmakers heading into the 2026 season.
Because of that shift in roster strategy, Smith-Schuster appears increasingly likely to test the open market when the new league year begins.
If this does mark the end of his time in Kansas City, Smith-Schuster would depart after multiple stints with the franchise, including being part of the Super Bowl-winning roster in the 2022 season.
For now, though, the message from the veteran receiver is clear. Without any contact from the organization since the season ended, he believes his final snap in a Chiefs uniform has already been played.
