Patriots release former Pro Bowl wide receiver after preseason opener

As the New England Patriots look to build the best roster that they can for the 2024 season and beyond, they're continuing to make changes.

On Friday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Patriots have released wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Smith-Schuster, 27, got 11 snaps in the team's preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers and wasn't targeted once.

New England signed the former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion last offseason to a three-year, $25.5 million deal, and according to Over the Cap, releasing him now will create a $9.63 million dead cap hit for the team.

In 11 games for the Patriots, Smith-Schuster caught just 29 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown.

Releasing him now will give him a chance to catch on with another team before it gets too late into the preseason.

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