Patriots cut wide receiver Smith-Schuster because of youth infusion

The New England Patriots cut WR JuJu Smith-Schuster today.

JuJu had inked a 3-year, 25 million dollar deal with the franchise in the past year as 1 of the primary free agent targets of the ex-regime led by Bill Belichick. That contract featured 16 million dollars guaranteed, so the organization will have to pay the wide receiver 9.6 million dollars this season despite cutting him.

It was known since the beginning of the training camp that JuJu was not in the plans for the starting positions because of an infusion of youth that featured rookie receivers Ja’Lynn Polk (2^nd round) and Javon Baker (4^th round). Multiple dropped passes during the training also didn’t help Smith-Schuster.

JuJu, who has been labeled by managers and teammates as a consummate professional, appeared in 11 matches for New England in the past campaign and totaled 29 catches for 260 yards and 1 TD.

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Patriots officially release JuJu Smith-Schuster, eat $7 million in fully-guaranteed salary for 2024. Minus whatever he makes if/when he signs with another team. https://t.co/3wsW77jvvG

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 9, 2024