New England Patriots Release JuJu Smith-Schuster

Multiple media outlets are reporting that the New England Patriots are releasing veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. The move does not come as a suprise based on Smith-Schuster’s lack of reps in training camp. He played 11 offensive snaps in last night’s game against the Carolina Panthers but was not targeted as a receiver.

Patriots’ salary cap expert Miguel Benzan broke down the financial repercussions of the move for New England. It creates over $9.6 million in dead money for the team this year and more than $2.6 million in 2025.

JuJu Smith Schuster’s 2024 dead money is $9,633,333. The Patriots will receive a credit in 2025 for any cash he may receive from another team in 2024. Max credit = $7M. His 2025 dead money = $2,633,334

— Patscap (@patscap) August 9, 2024

JuJu Smith-Schuster was a Pro Bowl player with the Pittsburgh Steelers but has looked like a shell of that version. Two seasons ago, he was the top wide receiver on the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl championship team. Still only 27, he likely finds a new home quickly for the veteran minimum.

He entered training camp saying he was “loving the locker room vibes” this season and was fully healthy. But Smith-Schuster never showed enough production to convince the marriage between player and franchise to continue at this point. There is a young core of wide receivers awaiting additional opportunities to produce.

The New England Patriots parting ways with JuJu Smith-Schuster gives them a wide recceiver room featuring Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, K.J. Osborn, Kayshon Boutte, Tyquan Thornton, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis, and JaQuae Jackson.