5 Biggest Patriots Busts Halfway Through the Season

2. JuJu Smith-Schuster

JuJu Smith-Schuster got himself a Super Bowl last season as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, as well as a bank account full of zeroes, so he's not complaining one bit at this point.

But Smith-Schuster has been one of the biggest free agent busts of the entire 2023 offseason.

The Patriots gave Smith-Schuster, a former second-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, a three-year deal worth $25.5 million in total money and $16 million guaranteed. As of the time of this post being written, there are more millions in his contract than there are catches to his name this season. He has caught just 21 passes for the Patriots for an astonishingly low 6.7 yards per reception.

The Patriots must have been hoodwinked in free agency for whatever reason. They weren't willing to pay their own guy -- Jakobi Meyers -- who left for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. Meyers has been tremendous this season for Las Vegas, catching 40 passes for 442 yards and five touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown.

Smith-Schuster has done virtually nothing for this New England offense, and looks like a complete bust of a free agent pickup at this point.