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Patriots Cut Veteran Bust Immediately Following Preseason Opener

The New England Patriots are parting ways with free agent bust.

By Richard Louis

August 8, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo watches the video boards after challenging a call on the field during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
August 8, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo watches the video boards after challenging a call on the field during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
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This has been an offseason of change for the New England Patriots. They have new quarterbacks and wide receivers in the building. We can't forget Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf run the ship in Foxborough.

The Pats have made it their mission to find new players to add to their stagnant offense. With new rookies and some other veterans in the fold at receiver, the Pats are parting ways with a struggling pass catcher.

Pats News: New England Lets Go of Juju Smith-Schuster

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Patriots are releasing wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. This shouldn't be much of a surprise to the fans.

The 27-year-old has struggled immensely ever since he stepped foot in New England. Last March, he signed a three-year deal worth $25.5 million. In 11 games during the 2023 season, Smith-Schuster reeled in 29 receptions (47 targets) for 260 yards and one score.

The USC product said a knee injury played a factor in his shaky play but that didn't seem like the case this summer. Smith-Schuster was seen dropping passes multiple downfield passes during practice last week.

He also was kept out of a 2-minute offensive drill, behind Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Kayshon Boutte, and Pop Douglas.

That rough training camp culminated in a total dud of a preseason debut. He played only 8 snaps, failing to earn a single target. PFF gave him an ugly 54.2 grade in that limited sample, which is even worse than the career-low 57.0 grade hea earned over the entire 2023 season.

Now the Pats decided to let go of the veteran playmaker. They are still on the hook for $7 million in regard to Smith-Schuster's contract but sometimes it's addition by subtraction, and the team certainly has the cap space to foot the bill.

Rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker are two guys who have made New England's decision that much easier due to their solid play over the summer.

The Pats have fully embraced the young movement as they are rebuilding this team from the ground up.

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