USC Football: Formers Trojans Star WR Shockingly Released

The New England Patriots released former Trojans star wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Friday, as reported by Ian Rapoport from NFL Network.

JuJu Smith-Schuster is owed $7M fully guaranteed by the #Patriots this season, but they are cutting him regardless. Any new team that signs him will more than likely get him for the minimum. https://t.co/Lr4ZALdsfC

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 9, 2024

JuJu Smith-Schuster, the wide receiver, is set to receive $ 7 million guaranteed from the New England Patriots despite being released by the team. As he searches for a new opportunity in the league, any team that signs him will likely offer him the minimum salary.

With his departure, the Patriots face a dead cap charge of $9.6millionthisyearand$ 2.6 million in 2025, indicating that Smith-Schuster didn’t meet the team’s expectations, given that they still owe him significant money.

At 27, he had signed a three-year, $ 25.5 million contract with New England as a free agent in 2023, but his performance was underwhelming—just 29 catches for 260 yards and one touchdown over 11 games, hindered by injuries.

Previously, Smith-Schuster had a five-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers and a one-year period with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he won his first Super Bowl and delivered solid stats with 78 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdowns.

During his college career at USC, he shone alongside teammate Adoree Jackson, achieving impressive numbers in his first season with 54 catches for 724 yards and five touchdowns, earning a second-team All-Pac-12 nod. He collected numerous accolades, including Second-team All-American and multiple All-Pac-12 selections.

Though both players had successful college careers, they haven’t consistently been in the spotlight professionally. However, teams recognize that Smith-Schuster has shown flashes of potential, and if he remains healthy, he could become a valuable asset for a team in need of a receiver.