The Patriots have made a quick turnaround at wide receiver. A day after losing Jakobi Meyers to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, they’re now signing JuJu Smith-Schuster, according to

Sources tell me and @RapSheet JuJu Smith-Schuster is signing a deal with the #Patriots.

— Taylor Bisciotti (@TaylorBisciotti) March 15, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taylor Bisciotti and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Smith-Schuster will sign a three-year, $33 million contract with the Patriots, per

3 years and $33M for JuJu Smith Schuster to the #Patriots, per source. https://t.co/dGdCZoNqVI

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 15, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jordan Schultz of The Score. That’s the same base contract the Raiders gave Meyers on Tuesday.

Stylistically, Smith-Schuster could end up being a replacement for Meyers in New England’s offense. Last year in Kansas City, he played 40 percent of his snaps out of the slot and proved to be a reliable target for Patrick Mahomes, catching 78 of his 101 targets for 933 yards and three touchdowns. He also averaged a career-high six yards after the catch per reception. At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds he has the build to be a ‘big slot’ in New England’s offense.

That was a bounce-back year for Smith-Schuster, in his first season with the Chiefs. He missed most of 2021 – his final year with the Pittsburgh Steelers – due to a shoulder injury. In his last full season in 2020 before that injury he caught 97 passes for 831 yards and nine touchdowns.

Originally drafted by the Steelers in the second round in 2017, Smith-Schuster was an early standout. In his first NFL season he caught 58 passes for 917 yards and seven touchdowns, then followed that up with a 111-catch, 1,426-yard, seven-touchdown season in his sophomore campaign in 2018. All of those numbers remain career-bests.

The question now is can Smith-Schuster return to that form in New England. Assuming the Patriots don’t address the slot position any further, he’ll be in a high-volume role with a chance to produce.

Smith-Schuster joins a Patriots receiving group that currently consists of DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton, Lynn Bowden, and Tre Nixon. That group would give the Patriots real flexibility offensively – Parker projects as a true ‘X’ but Bourne, Thornton, and Smith-Schuster all have the versatility to move around the formation.

The Patriots may not be done adding at receiver either. Other reports have them linked to trade targets like Jerry Jeudy and DeAndre Hopkins, as well as free agent Odell Beckham Jr., whose workout they attended last week.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.