JuJu Smith-Schuster’s Patriots tenure has come to an end. As first reported by NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, New England is releasing the veteran wide receiver. The team later confirmed the news.
Smith-Schuster, 27, was entering the second year of a three-year, $25.5 million contract, but things just never clicked for him in Foxborough.
Smith-Schuster, a Pro Bowler back in 2018, played in 11 games last season while also dealing with knee and ankle injuries and a concussion. He recorded just 29 catches for 260 yards and one touchdown.
He played 11 snaps in Thursday’s preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers, but was not targeted in the passing game.
He was part of a crowded wide receiver room and seemingly had an uphill battle against the likes of DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, KJ Osborn, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton and the currently injured Kendrick Bourne.
As it turns out, the Patriots’ staff apparently hadn’t seen enough from Smith-Schuster this summer to keep him around and have now decided to cut ties, giving Smith-Schuster a chance to catch on somewhere else before the season begins.
The Patriots will incur a $9.6 million dead cap hit by releasing Smith-Schuster.