Zolak & Bertrand: Should JuJu Smith-Schuster be a cut candidate for Patriots?
Zolak and Bertrand debate whether or not Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster should be a cut candidate, even with a lackluster group of pass catchers down:
Beetle: Chris Hogan, former Patriots receiver, thinks that JuJu Smith-Schuster could get cut. That they just bail on him with $7 million in guaranteed money due to him this year and large dead cap hits if they do bump him. He thinks it could happen still.
And you know what? He might be right. He might be. I would not entirely rule this out as being silly or a former player. Not fully. Maybe knowing all the details on that contract and what the bind would sort of be. They have all kinds of cap space. That’s not a consideration for them right now.
The cap hit if he’s here, is over $10 million. They’re paying him the 7 million, no matter what. That’s what it comes down to. It’s really not about cap dollars and dead hits anymore. Are you willing to pay a guy $7 million to free up a roster spot? Or do you just pay him 7 million and keep him on the roster?
And if you don’t think he’s playing well, you bury him. But you’re still at least getting a serviceable receiver for the money.
Zolak: You’re a team that needs receivers. You’re a team that needs veteran receivers. He’s a guy that does catch the ball when it’s thrown to him. I know he had the deflection that cost Mac [Jones] a pick at the end of one of those games.
![Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (7) runs in for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2023/10/USATSI_21769243-1.jpg?resize=1024,774)
Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (7) runs in for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
But, I’d rather pay the guy, keep him around, and if he’s not an issue like, you know, they’re talking about on the podcast there, you’re going to need him at some point and he’s healthy. And he’s standing out.
So then you’re gonna turn and cut a guy that’s actually standing out a little bit? You need veteran leadership for that group. Eighteen games, that’s a long year for kids. He knows the season. It’s why [Jacoby] Brissett is here, to sort of guide Drake Maye. JuJu could be a guider to those young guys.
LISTEN: Should the Patriots cut JuJu Smith-Schuster?