Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who was part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl win two years ago, will be released by the New England Patriots, according to a source who spoke to The Associated Press.
The source requested not to be named because the team has not officially announced the move. NFL Network first reported the release.
The Patriots had signed Smith-Schuster to a three-year, $25 million contract last year, but he only made 29 catches for 260 yards and one touchdown.
Smith-Schuster played just 11 snaps in New England’s preseason opener against Carolina on Thursday night.
The 27-year-old was a second-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2017 and had a career-best 111 catches for 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns in 2018.
He joined the Chiefs in 2022 after they traded All-Pro Tyreek Hill. Smith-Schuster led Kansas City’s wide receivers with 78 catches for 933 yards and three touchdowns.
Smith-Schuster was held by Eagles cornerback James Bradberry on a key third down late in Super Bowl 57. The penalty gave the Chiefs a first down and let them use more time before Harrison Butker made a go-ahead 27-yard field goal with 8 seconds left.
The Patriots drafted receiver Ja’Lynn Polk in the second round. Demario Douglas, a sixth-round pick in 2023, led the Patriots with 561 yards on 49 catches. Kendrick Bourne is New England’s top receiver but played only eight games last season due to injuries.
