New Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has revealed that it was Bill Belichick – the team’s legendary head coach – who attracted him to New England, after having just won the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Speaking to Zolak and Bertrand on Boston’s 98.5 – the flagship station for the Patriots – on Tuesday, the 26-year-old explained his decision behind leaving Patrick Mahomes to play under the head coach with the second-best record in NFL history.
‘To be honest, it was Belichick, man,’ he said. ‘Just the want and the need. And, you know, the position that I can fill there really, really, really caught my attention.
‘And I felt that like that was the [biggest] thing, feeling wanted in a place where I’ve played against a head coach I have a lot of respect for. And I just think that that goes a long way.’
Once he plays his first game in Foxborough in September, Smith-Schuster will have played for Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin, the Kansas City Chiefs’ Andy Reid and the head coach with the most Super Bowl titles in NFL history. All three are likely to inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, one day.
New Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster revealed head coach Bill Belichick was behind his decision to move to New England this offseason in a three-year, $33million deal
Belichick, 70, has coached the Patriots since 2000, winning six Super Bowls and amassing 329 league and postseason wins – the second most in league history behind Don Shula’s 347
Belichick has won six Super Bowls with the Patriots and has amassed 329 league and postseason wins over his time with New England and the Cleveland Browns, which is second in league history behind Don Shula’s 347.
In regards to Tomlin, who drafted Smith-Schuster as a second round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, he’s won one out of two Super Bowls that he’s led the Steelers to and has never had a losing record during his 16 seasons as a head coach, which is the longest current streak in the NFL.
Smith-Schuster last played under Andy Reid in Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona. The man fondly known as ‘Big Red’ has two Super Bowl rings and is the only head coach in the NFL to win 100 games and appear in four consecutive conference championships with two different franchises (Eagles and Chiefs).
Next season, Smith-Schuster, who won a Super Bowl under Reid and once earned a Pro Bowl nomination in 2018, has a chance to add to his track record and contribute to Belichick’s legacy.
‘There tradition was always there,’ said the wide receiver, who’s originally from Long Beach, California. ‘I’ve always had respect for the Patriots.’
Smith Schuster agreed to join the Pats on a three-year, $33million contract on March 17, after logging in 78 receptions for 933 receiving yards and three touchdowns this past season with Kansas City.
Smith-Schuster is coming off a season in which he won his first Super Bowl with Kansas City
Smith-Schuster, 26, has learned from two likely Hall of Fame coaches in Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin (L), Kansas City Chiefs’ Andy Reid (R) and now Belichick, of the Patriots
New England could recruit more wide receivers this offseason, as reports claim Belichick is eyeing Devante Parker and Kendrick Bourne, though Smith-Schuster will undoubtedly play a big role in complementing Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, who struggled in Foxborough last season.
Nonetheless, Smith-Schuster has liked the 24-year-old signal-caller’s off-field growth and displays, despite only making a move to the Northeast earlier this month.
‘That dude loves, breathes New England. He’s the definition of a Patriot,’ Smith-Schuster said of Jones. ‘Even in my short time, like my 24 hours to be in New England, he was there constantly working out with the guys, just getting after it, getting it in the books.
‘He was a rookie Pro Bowler, so the dude has a lot of potential. I can’t wait to get right with him.’
The Patriots haven’t won a playoff game since their last Super Bowl win with Tom Brady as their quarterback at the end of the 2018 season and have finished below .500 in two of the last three years.
However, that won’t matter to Belichick, who’s own career achievements still hold prestige among NFL players, or at least to one new Patriot.
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