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Mike Rice, ESPN Staff Writer
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots have informed veteran receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster that they plan to release him on Friday, a league source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Smith-Schuster signed a three-year, $25 million deal with the team in the 2023 offseason as one of the primary free-agent targets of the previous Bill Belichick regime. That deal included $16 million in guaranteed money, so the team will have to account for $9.6 million in cap space for Smith-Schuster this year despite his release.
It was clear from the start of training camp that Smith-Schuster, 27, was having a tough time earning a roster spot, in part due to the infusion of youth that included rookie receivers Jalen Polk (second round) and Javon Baker (fourth round). The numerous passes he dropped in training camp also didn’t help his cause.
Described by his coaches and teammates as an outstanding professional, Smith-Schuster played in 11 games for the Patriots last season and had 29 receptions for 260 yards and one touchdown.
He explained that winning a Super Bowl as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2022 season, which led to a shorter offseason for recovery and training, affected him because he was suffering from a nagging knee injury when he initially joined the Patriots.
Under the new regime of executive vice president of player personnel Elliot Wolff and head coach Jerod Mayo this year, the Patriots are looking to add more youth at the receiver position. In addition to Polk and Baker, they have second-year receiver DeMario Douglas as part of their core and appear to have significant plans for veteran KJ Osborne, the former Minnesota Vikings player who signed a one-year deal as a free agent this offseason.
That leaves just one or two more spots on the roster, with 2022 second-round pick Tyquan Thornton, 2023 sixth-round pick Kayshon Booty and fifth-year veteran Jalen Reagor among those in contention to stay.
The Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers 17-3 in their preseason opener Thursday night. Smith-Schuster played 11 snaps and did not deflect a pass.
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