Breaking news out of New England as the Patriots have made a surprising move by parting ways with wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster after just one season with the team. This decision comes after Smith-Schuster signed a lucrative three-year, $25 million deal with the Patriots last offseason.
The 27-year-old receiver was expected to be a key addition to New England’s receiving corps, especially after the departure of Jakobi Meyers, who led the team in both catches and receiving yards in 2022. However, Smith-Schuster’s time with the Patriots did not go as planned, as he recorded career lows of 29 catches and 260 yards in just 11 games.
During organized team activities, Smith-Schuster revealed that he never fully recovered from offseason knee surgery, which he underwent after winning a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs. This injury likely impacted his performance on the field and contributed to the Patriots’ decision to release him.
Executive vice president of player personnel, Eliot Wolf, emphasized the team’s need to “weaponize the offense” back in February. In line with this vision, the Patriots selected two wide receivers in the NFL draft – Ja’Lynn Polk from Washington in the second round and Javon Baker from UCF in the fourth round.
This move comes at a cost for the Patriots, as they will incur a hefty $9.6 million dead cap hit due to Smith-Schuster’s release. It’s a tough decision for the organization, but one that they believe is necessary to continue building a competitive team for the future.
As fans process this news, one thing is clear – the Patriots are not afraid to make bold moves in pursuit of success. Stay tuned for more updates as the offseason progresses.
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