“His career is cooked!” – Patriots releasing JuJu Smith-Schuster sparks WILD reactions on social media

It appears the New England Patriots have made some last-minute changes in the roster after securing victory in the first preseason game. As they released JuJu Smith-Schuster after having him for just one year, on Friday and causing a wild reaction on social media. 

After signing with the Patriots for three years with a $25.5 million contract in 2023, the veteran wide receiver played under former head coach Bill Belichick for one season. However, since the Patriots brought in Jerod Mayo to replace Belichick, the team has been moving forward with a different strategic approach for the coming 2024 season. 

Belichick acquired Smith-Schuster to add more offensive weapons to the team. However, before the receiver could adjust himself to the new team, he sustained injuries to his knee and ankle and also had a concussion during one of the games. As a result, the veteran receiver could only log 29 receptions and 260 yards. 

Under new head coach Mayo, the Patriots have changed the entire playing strategy, let alone the locker room scenario. He and the new executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf have added more young names in the receiving corps, and therefore, they didn’t have much space left to adjust the Pro Bowler receiver especially when he was targeted just 47 times in the 11 games he played in 2023. 

After being released by the Patriots, Smith-Schuster has now entered the free agency market but will receive a $9.6 million dead cap hit for 2024 and $2.5 million in 2025. 

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Fan reactions to the Patriots releasing JuJu Smith-Schuster 

This offseason, the Patriots brought in more young receivers on the roster with second-year receiver DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker from the draft. Even though they released veteran Smith-Schuster, they added fifth-year veteran K.J. Osborn to the receiving corps. Amid the youth infusion, Smith-Schuster found himself struggling to hold a spot on the roster. 

The team ultimately released him but they hadn’t thought of the fan reaction on the whole drama. One fan even wrote, “His career is cooked,” while another wrote, “He used to be one of the top receivers out there. He really decline that fast?”

Here are some of the fan reactions: 

Many wondered if Smith-Schuster’s career in the NFL is finished now, while some claimed his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs would sign him swiftly especially after they struggled with their receiving corps last season. The Chiefs have been inducting strong weapons into the squad.

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