Patriots make first big wide receiver cut of the summer

The New England Patriots are moving on from their most experienced wide receiver.

JuJu Smith-Schuster is being released, as first reported by the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. While the news is described as a "surprise," it's not for those who have been covering Patriots training camp on a daily basis.

Smith-Schuster, 27, was not targeted in the Patriots' 17-3 preseason win over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium. However, the veteran receiver hadn't had a strong camp up to that point, either, struggling with drops and failing to consistently crack the starters' rotation in team offensive drills.

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The former Steelers and Chiefs wideout played 11 games for the Patriots in 2023, catching only 29 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown. Though seemingly healthy for 2024 training camp, it was Smith-Schuster's on-field performance that deteriorated in Foxboro.

The early cut does Smith-Schuster a solid, giving him a chance to get into camp with another team with a few weeks still to go until final roster cutdowns. Financially, the Patriots are eating $7 million in guaranteed salary, while clearing only $647,059 in cap space, via Over The Cap.

That the Patriots were willing to make that concession indicated how poorly Smith-Schuster had performed in his bid to make the roster for a second season. Smith-Schuster has been vastly outperformed by his veteran counterpart, K.J. Osborn, as well as third-year pro Tyquan Thornton. Rookies Ja'Lynn Polk (second round) and Javon Baker (fourth round) are roster locks, as is sophomore wideout DeMario "Pop" Douglas.

With Kendrick Bourne still not ready to return to the field, as of Thursday, the Patriots may create an opening at wide receiver by placing him on short-term injured reserve or the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to begin the season. So, it's possible that two roster spots are up for grabs.

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That's where Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, Jalen Reagor, David Wallis, Kawaan Baker, and JaQuae Jackson will be worth watching in the coming days and weeks. With Smith-Schuster officially out of the picture, the receiver battle has heated up a bit.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.