In the NFL, the line between Super Bowl glory and the waiver wire is razor-thin. Just ask JuJu Smith-Schuster, who helped Patrick Mahomes hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LVII. That explosive season briefly made JuJu one of the most sought-after pass-catchers in the league. But a brutal string of injuries severely eroded that value over the next three years. Fast-forward to just eight weeks into his tenure with the New York Giants, his 2026 season came to a screeching halt: The former Kansas City Chiefs wideout was released from the team, sending his future in the league into immediate jeopardy. 

The New York Giants have released Smith-Schuster after signing running back Najee Harris, Adam Schefter wrote on X.

According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, the Giants brought in Harris, Smith-Schuster’s former Steelers teammate, to play a major role in their offense. 

“He was brought in under the premise that he’s going to be a significant contributor, even though a source told ESPN he signed a one-year, minimum-salary $1.215 million deal with no guaranteed money,” Raanan wrote. 

And Giants HC John Harbaugh made his stance clear by giving Harris a real chance in development and elevating him in the depth chart. 

“I mean, football’s competitive, the NFL’s competitive, and we’re building the strongest team we can,” Harbaugh said (h/t Raanan). “And [Harris is] a really good football player. So that’s it.”

This shock comes for Smith-Schuster just two months after he signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Giants in June. But it’s needless to say that signing Harris was just one side of the coin. Smith-Schuster was dealing with a knee issue and missed some practice time, which already put him behind his competitors. His status during the offseason was not as heavily reported, and a clip that captured him dropping an easy catch also did the rounds.

In New York, JuJu was also competing with Odell Beckham Jr. (the prodigal son) and Braxton Berrios for one of the last spots in the WR depth chart, with Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton II presumably locking down the starting spots. But with OBJ getting more reps – he also played in the preseason vs the Vikings – it looks like Smith-Schuster became an expendable option.

The Giants also added younger outside receivers like Darnell Mooney and Malachi Fields during free agency and the draft, leaving virtually no room for Smith-Schuster on the roster. Additionally, John Harbaugh emphasized that depth wide receivers on the roster must contribute heavily on special teams. Smith-Schuster has rarely played special teams throughout his career, putting him at a severe disadvantage against younger bubble players. 

Now turning 30 in November, Smith-Schuster could be facing the end of his NFL career, especially if a lingering knee injury prevents him from landing another contract.

JuJu’s recent career trajectory has been a dramatic rollercoaster. His peak came in 2022 during his initial stint with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he enjoyed the best season of his career, catching 88 passes for 1,022 yards and three touchdowns en route to a Super Bowl LVII victory. That stellar production drove his market value through the roof, earning him a lucrative three-year deal with the New England Patriots in free agency. 

However, that momentum came to a sudden halt in Foxborough. Despite signing a long-term contract, New England dropped Smith-Schuster after just a single season. Former head coach Jerod Mayo cited a desire to prioritize younger receivers, while a lingering knee issue severely hampered his availability. Struggling with injuries, he failed to put together a full, healthy season until his eventual return to Kansas City. 

That return materialized across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, marking his second stint in a Chiefs uniform. Overall, Smith-Schuster accumulated 129 receptions, 1509 yards, and six touchdowns while boasting a career-best 75% catch rate in his three total years in Kansas City. Yet, his second run lacked the explosive magic of the first, yielding just 576 yards over two seasons due to reduced playing time and limited opportunities. 

However, all might not be over for JuJu Smith-Schuster, thanks to the Pittsburgh Steelers running into some major trouble right before the season.

Former Chiefs JuJu Smith-Schuster can reunite with the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are down two very important players in Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf, the presumed starters this year. With both veterans out with injuries, at least for now, Smith-Schuster could hope for a chance to reunite with Pittsburgh, the team that drafted him. 

“A reunion seems like a win-win scenario for both the veteran receiver and the team that drafted him,” Andrew Vasquez of Steelers Wire wrote on August 18. “Pittman already tried to recruit Smith-Schuster before he joined the Giants, but now seems like the ideal opportunity to make this dream a reality.”

The WR spent five seasons with the Steelers before coming to Kansas City, recording some of his best numbers. He notched a career-high 111 receptions for 1,426 yards and seven receiving touchdowns in the 2018 season, and also led the league with the longest reception of the year, at 97 yards. Smith-Schuster also earned a Pro Bowl nod that year.

He might have to compete for a spot on the roster here too, which already has promising young talents in Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard. But if he manages to hang on, he could serve as an important backup if any of the players ahead of him go down with an injury during this season.

Head coach Mike McCarthy has always been vocal about playing the season with a deep quarterback room. Will that apply to the receivers room as well, and maybe open a spot for Smith-Schuster? Only time will tell.