Jerod Mayo explains why Patriots cut JuJu Smith-Schuster

JuJu Smith-Schuster’s tenure with the Patriots only lasted one season.

Despite New England handing him a three-year deal worth up to $33 million last March, the 27-year-old quickly became an afterthought in a far-from-imposing Patriots offense. Lingering injuries sapped most of the explosiveness and separation ability from the former Super Bowl champion.

Just days after New England opted to release Smith-Schuster, head coach Jerod Mayo was asked on Sunday about what went into the decision to cut ties with the former free-agent pickup.

“It was a decision between Eliot (Wolf) and myself, really to give the younger guys an opportunity to go out there and get more reps, and show what they could do,” Mayo said.

Even though Smith-Schuster still had two years left on his deal entering this season, a spot on New England’s 2024 roster was far from a guarantee — especially with the Patriots injecting plenty of youth into their receiver corps over the last few years.

Originally envisioned as a dependable slot receiver in the same vein as Jakobi Meyers, Smith-Schuster saw a younger player in DeMario Douglas showcase more talent in a similar role with New England last fall.

This season, the Patriots added another pair of young receivers into the mix through the draft in Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, while New England also signed K.J. Osborn in free agency.

Beyond what quickly became a crowded receiver room, Smith-Schuster’s own health and that lack of explosiveness limited just how useful he could be in New England’s offense. 

After recording 78 catches for 933 yards with the Chiefs in 2022, Smith-Schuster only reeled in 29 catches for 260 yards and one touchdown with New England last season. He was on the field for just 11 snaps during New England’s 17-3 preseason win over the Panthers on Thursday night. 

“I mean, that’s part of it,” Mayo said of Smith-Schuster’s health factoring into the decision to part ways with him. “At the same time, we just want him to get healthy. He still has some good ball left in him and I wish him nothing but the best.”

With New England releasing Smith-Schuster with two years left on his deal, New England is set to incur a $9.6 million “dead money” cap charge on their books this year, along with a $2.6 million dead money charge in 2025. 

Even if there’s no guarantee that younger players like Polk or Baker will thrive under steady reps with New England in 2024, Smith-Schuster’s ailing knee and lackluster results offered up little optimism that the veteran was going to be able to jolt New England’s ailing offense this upcoming season.