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Patriots Release WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

Multiple sources confirmed that the New England Patriots will release wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. While the wideout from USC signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Patriots last season, he will only play one season in Foxborough.

Smith-Schuster’s performance drastically declined last season when he finished with 29 receptions for 260 yards and a touchdown in 11 games. The year before, he helped the Kansas City Chiefs to their Super Bowl-winning run by tallying 78 catches for 933 yards and three touchdowns.

He had a promising start to his career after the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, he collected 58 receptions for 917 yards and seven touchdowns. A year later, he established career highs in catches (111) and receiving yards (1,426). Those numbers earned him his only Pro Bowl selection so far.

Unfortunately, injuries hampered his continuous ascension as one of the game’s best receivers. He played only 12 games in 2019 and five in 2021. Smith-Schuster bounced back during his lone season with the Chiefs, but the team still decided to part ways with him.

Since Smith-Schuster has more than four seasons of accrued service, he will become a free agent after release. The 27-year-old wide receiver can then sign with any team interested in acquiring him. However, signing this late in the offseason limits his leverage in contract negotiations.

-Lance Fernandez

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