Patriots release wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster

Smith-Schuster signed with New England in 2023.

JuJu Smith-Schuster speaking to reporters during Patriots training camp in July. AP Photo/Steven Senne

August 9, 2024

1 minute to read

A day after the 2024 preseason opener, the Patriots made a notable change at wide receiver.

Update: The Patriots have formally announced the release of JuJu Smith-Schuster. The 27-year-old was entering his second season with the Patriots, but had yet to find a rhythm during his time in Foxborough partly due to injuries. He was on the field for just 11 snaps in the 17-3 preseason win over the Panthers on Thursday, and received zero targets.

Smith-Schuster signed a three-year deal with the Patriots in 2023, and had two years remaining on his contract. As a result, New England will incur a total of $9.6 million in “dead money” (a salary cap charge). In addition, the Patriots will face another $2.6 million dead money charge in 2025.

The decision could help clear a path for rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker to get more playing time, while also giving Smith-Schuster the opportunity to sign elsewhere before the start of the season.

Even without Smith-Schuster, New England continues to have a crowded wide receiver room. Beyond the rookies (a contingent that also includes undrafted free agents JaQuae Jackson and David Wallis), the Patriots also have Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Tyquan Thornton, Kawaan Baker, Jalen Reagor, K.J. Osborn, and Kendrick Bourne.

Arriving as one of the signings in Bill Belichick’s final offseason with the Patriots, Smith-Schuster totaled just 29 catches for 260 yards in an overall lackluster year for New England. Amid a struggling offense, Smith-Schuster caught only one touchdown.

It was in contrast to his somewhat resurgent year with the Chiefs in 2022, where he was part of a Kansas City Super Bowl winner, contributing 78 catches for 933 yards (with three touchdowns).

Smith-Schuster was originally a Steelers second-round pick in 2017. He rose quickly on Pittsburgh’s depth chart, and achieved a career year in his second season. In 2018, he finished with 111 receptions for 1,426 yards, and seven touchdowns. Yet injuries limited his role with the Steelers in subsequent seasons, and persisted through his time with the Patriots.