- JuJu Smith-Schuster to be released from Patriots: What went wrong in New England?
- Chiefs poised to reunite with JuJu Smith-Schuster amid Patriots roster uncertainty
It was a surprise to whole league when on Friday JuJu Smith-Schuster was released after only one season with the in 2023. The New England Patriots are readjusting their roster, there is no question about that, but the fact that a veteran talent like him was not going to be required to help a young quarterback like Drake Maye left everyone scratching their head.
While it is true that New England is in another phase of their history after Tom Brady departure and then retirement, the new era for Patriots football must have a branch that comes from a solid log.
The team drafted two wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft and to develop them will take time, especially after drafting a quarterback that is set to begin his career in the NFL as a starter in a few weeks. The young wide receivers won't have a mentor.
The silence was broken
After a few days of not speaking on the matter, it was new New England head coach Jerod Mayo who finally spoke on the matter, saying that JuJu Smith-Schuster's knee injury was a factor that ultimately costs him is job.
"Yeah, it was a decision between Eliot and myself, really to give the younger guys an opportunity to go out there and get more reps and show what they can do. We just want him to get healthy. He still has some good ball left in him and I wish him nothing but the best," the head coach said.
He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers but he went on to win a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022. In New England he was supposed to be a leader and now the team will lack one with his departure.