Kansas City Chiefs could have perfect backup plan if wide receiver situation doesn't go as intended

Every year there are surprise cuts around the NFL during training camp and preseason.

Whether it's because of scheme fit or financial reasons, quality players at multiple positions become available, even if it wasn't highly anticipated earlier in the offseason. General managers around the league have to keep their heads on a swivel as they continuously strive to assemble the best roster possible.

The Kansas City Chiefs added some firepower to their wide receiver corps this past spring by signing veteran Hollywood Brown in free agency and drafting Xavier Worth in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Both are expected to make a huge impact right off the bat, but as we well know, things don't always go according to plan.

The Chiefs have already been put into a tough situation with Rashee Rice, whose pending multi-game suspension looms over the team . And as talented as Worthy may be, rookie receivers don't typically start fast in coach Andy Reid's offense. The Chiefs are also banking on a couple of guys who have been inconsistent at best to step up, such as Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore and Mecole Hardman.

Given those factors, there could be an interesting backup plan that comes to fruition for Kansas City. Our own A to Z Sports Patriots reporter Sophie Weller suggested that JuJu Smith-Schuster could be a surprise cut candidate out of New England. Smith-Schuster, of course, played for the Chiefs in 2022.

Could a reunion between the Chiefs and Smith-Schuster be a possibility? He was productive during his one year stint in K.C., catching 79 passes for 933 yards and three touchdowns. He also led the Chiefs in receptions in Super Bowl LVII with seven. Smith-Schuster was a natural fit for Reid's offense with his impressive blend of size and speed and ability to play both out on the boundary and in the slot.

Despite that, the Chiefs weren't willing to match what the Patriots offered him in free agency. Unfortunately for Smith-Schuster, he had an injury-riddled and unproductive 2023 season, catching just 29 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown. With a new regime and a young cast of receivers now in town for N.E., Smith Schuster could be the odd man out.

Ideally for the Chiefs, they won't need to go down the route of bringing Smith-Schuster back. Hopefully Brown and Worthy make big impacts and at least one under-the-radar guy takes a step forward.

However, if K.C. does run into trouble with its receivers, Smith-Schuster returning would be a fine backup plan. Heck, even if the Chiefs don't necessarily need him, he would likely come cheap if he's released and could bolster their receiving corps that much more.