Report: Patriots releasing WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

Field Level Media|published: Fri 9th August, 14:12 2024

Dec 7, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (7) reacts after a first down catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots are releasing wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, NFL Network reported Friday.

The Pats are parting ways now to give the 27-year-old veteran time to find another team, per the report.

Smith-Schuster caught 29 passes for 260 yards and one score in 11 games (seven starts) in his lone season with New England in 2023.

He was a second-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2017, made the Pro Bowl with the Steelers in 2018 and won Super Bowl LVII with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Smith-Schuster is entering the second season of a three-year, $25.5 million deal he signed with the Patriots after that Super Bowl win.

He has 430 receptions for 5,048 yards and 30 touchdowns in 90 career games (72 starts) with the Steelers (2017-21), Chiefs (2022) and Patriots.

New England's depth chart at wide receiver includes second-round rookie Ja'Lynn Polk, K.J. Osborn, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Reagor.

--Field Level Media