Patriots are releasing WR JuJu Smith-Schuster originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
JuJu Smith-Schuster’s career with the New England Patriots is over.
The veteran wide receiver is being released, according to multiple reports, including Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston.
The Patriots are releasing veteran Juju Smith-Schuster. He caught 29 passes last year after signing as a free agent. It was difficult to envision a roster spot for him this year based on his camp performance.
@DougKyed first on this.
-Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 9, 2024
Smith-Schuster came to New England ahead of the 2023 season after signing a three-year, $25.5 million contract in free agency.
He is set to be the Patriots’ highest-paid wide receiver in 2024, with the fifth-highest salary cap hit ($10.28 million) of any player on the roster, by Spotrac. The Patriots will have a dead cap of US$9.6 million reached as a result.
The Patriots essentially picked Smith-Schuster over Jakobi Meyers last offseason, and it was a poor decision, to say the least. Smith-Schuster struggled to stay healthy and recorded just 29 receptions for 260 yards and one touchdown in 11 games for the Patriots last season. Meyers recorded 71 receptions for 807 yards and eight touchdowns in 16 games for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Smith-Schuster’s departure leaves the following wide receivers on the Patriots’ roster:
The Patriots’ second preseason game will be next Thursday, August 15, against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium.
