By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Two contributors to the Kansas City Chiefs 2022 Super Bowl season are heading elsewhere after signing deals with different teams.
After one year in Kansas City, wide receiver Juju Smith Schuster signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots. The move announced during the NFL's tampering period.
Smith-Schuster was second on the team behind tight end Travis Kelce in targets, receptions and receiving yards in a season that resembled his first four years as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Patriots were seeking to replace Jakobi Meyers, their leading receiver, after he signed a three-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. Smith-Schuster shares a similar skill set with Meyers, which made the Patriots show specific interest in acquiring the former Chiefs receiver.
Also announced during the tampering period is the departure of defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, a former third round pick of the Chiefs who spent four years with the team and was part of both Super bowl champion teams.
Saunders signed a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints after hitting the free agent market for the first time since his rookie deal expired.
Through four seasons with Kansas City, Saunders played in 38 games and complied 4.5 sacks. His best season with the Chiefs came during this past season when he played in 16 games and having 15 quarterback pressures.