5 Patriots Who Won't Survive the Season Following 1-5 Start
2. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
You always hate to see when bigger-money free agent acquisitions don't work out, but I think most people could see this one coming from a hundred miles away. The Patriots gave JuJu Smith-Schuster a very generous $16 million in guaranteed money on a three-n contract, presumably to come in and replace Jakobi Meyers in the lineup.
How's that going so far? Well, let's take a look.
JuJu Smith-Schuster 2023 stats
- 25 targets
- 14 receptions
- 86 yards (6.1 per reception)
- 0 TDs
Jakobi Meyers 2023 stats (with Raiders)
- 43 targets
- 30 receptions
- 335 yards
- 4 TDs
At this point, Meyers is on pace to blow away his career high in touchdown catches, while JuJu Smith-Schuster is looking like he'll be lucky to get just one. Not that the Patriots have to pay everybody, but why would you not pay the guy who has grown in your city, your system, and your culture?
Not to mention, JuJu Smith-Schuster hasn't been good for years. This looked like a bad move by the Patriots in the moment and Smith-Schuster has proven to be a bust so far.