Just In: Big-Name Veteran on the Chopping Block: Patriots Set to Release Disappointing $19.5 Million Star.
The New England Patriots have announced the release of wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, ending his tenure with the team after a single season. Smith-Schuster, who joined the Patriots following a productive year with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022, struggled to make a significant impact in New England. In the 2023 season, he recorded only 260 receiving yards and one touchdown over 11 games.
Head coach Jerod Mayo cited a desire to provide younger players with more opportunities as a primary reason for the decision. He also acknowledged that lingering injuries affected Smith-Schuster’s performance. “It was a decision between [general manager] Eliot [Wolf] and myself,” Mayo stated. “Really to give the younger guys an opportunity to go out there and get more reps and show what they can do.” He added, “We just wanted him to get healthy. He’s still got some good ball left in him. I wish him nothing but the best.”
Reports have surfaced indicating that former head coach Bill Belichick was initially hesitant about signing Smith-Schuster. The front office reportedly persuaded Belichick to prioritize Smith-Schuster’s yards-after-catch potential over re-signing the team’s leading receiver, Jakobi Meyers. This decision has come under scrutiny, especially since Meyers outperformed Smith-Schuster in the 2023 season, amassing nearly 600 more receiving yards and scoring 10 touchdowns compared to Smith-Schuster’s single touchdown.
Smith-Schuster’s release highlights the challenges the Patriots have faced in bolstering their receiving corps. Despite his previous success with the Chiefs, where he recorded 933 yards and three touchdowns in 2022, Smith-Schuster was unable to replicate that performance in New England. As he enters free agency, the 28-year-old receiver will be looking to rebound and contribute effectively to a new team.
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