After being unable to land star Brandon Aiyuk in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers, the New England Patriots are prioritizing their young wide receiver group. With that emphasis, comes some hard decisions, including the one they just made. The team is releasing JuJu Smith-Schuster, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The former Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowl selection signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Pats last offseason, but the move did not yield close to the favorable results the organization hoped. Smith-Schuster tallied just 29 receptions for 260 yards and one touchdown in 11 games during the 2023-24 campaign.
A dismal offensive and quarterback situation undoubtedly contributed to the poor performance, but it has been a long while since the 2017 second-round draft pick looked the part of a reliable No. 1 option. Making matters worse for Bill Belichick and the Patriots is that the player he essentially replaced, Jakobi Meyers, outperformed him under a very similar contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Ostensibly, New England's first preseason game on Thursday night provided management with all the evidence it felt it needed to part ways with Smith-Schuster. He played only 11 snaps in the 17-3 win versus the Carolina Panthers, which is normal for a veteran, while one of his presumed competitors for a roster spot produced a solid outing. Kayshon Boutte, a 2023 sixth-rounder, finished with three catches and a game-high 53 receiving yards.
The new era of Patriots football continues to take shape
The Patriots have no interest in waiting out this experiment any further. Although the new regime opted to retain many of the talents Belichick amassed in recent years, it is inclined to be more critical when it comes to the offense.
JuJu Smith-Schuster proved to be a capable pass-catcher for Patrick Mahomes, serving as the Kansas City Chiefs' leading wide receiver (tight end Travis Kelce left everyone in the dust) en route to their championship run two years ago. He does not fit New England's current roster or vision, however.
A group of young wideouts like DeMario Douglas, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker will not be able to properly develop if they do not earn a fair share of targets. Furthermore, Smith-Schuster's value is unlikely to be maximized by a rookie QB.
There is no telling if he can elevate Drake Maye, either, considering his most recent body of work. The 27-year-old can now join a team that is further along on the competitive timetable, or maybe even a title contender. He holds some value on the open market and will have the opportunity to reestablish himself once again.
For the Patriots, the future is everything. But they have to start building it now.
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