JuJu Smith-Schuster just won a Super Bowl with Patrick Mahomes, but he’s excited to begin working with Mac Jones.
The wide receiver signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the New England Patriots after a bounce-back year in Kansas City. During Tuesday’s radio interview with 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand, Smith-Schuster said he’s looking forward to getting in sync with his new quarterback.
“I have not thrown with Mac yet. But just watching film and just watching him, that dude loves, breathes New England,” Smith-Schuster said (h/t MassLive). “He’s the definition of a Patriot. Even in my short time, my 24 hours of being in New England, he was there, constantly working out with the guys, just getting after it, getting in the books. I mean, he’s a rookie Pro Bowler. So the dude has a lot of potential, and I can’t wait to get right with him.”
However, Jones wasn’t the main reason Smith-Schuster signed with New England.
“To be honest, it was [Bill] Belichick, man. … He’s a head coach I have a lot of respect for. And I just think that that goes a long way,” he said.
What was it that attracted JuJu Smith-Schuster to New England?
“It was Bill Belichick”
Smith-Schuster talks with @ZoandBertrand about his decision to sign with the Patriots pic.twitter.com/onFffFkeRW
— NBC Sports Boston’s Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) March 21, 2023
After injuries limited him to five games in 2021, Smith-Schuster repaired his market value with 78 catches for 933 yards last season. He could instantly become Jones’ top target when replacing last year’s leading receiver, Jakobi Meyers.
Jones followed a promising first season by posting an 84.8 quarterback rating last year. Perhaps Smith-Schuster and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien can help spark a rebound in 2023.