(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots are at the beginning of a transition period, with the team recently parting ways with legendary head coach Bill Belichick after finishing with one of the worst records in the NFL last season.
After firing Belichick following 24 seasons and trading starting quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, New England is starting fresh, which means every player currently on the roster is in danger of getting cut as the rebuilding process moves along.
That goes for veteran wide receiver and one-time Super Bowl champion JuJu Smith-Schuster, who signed with New England last year after winning it all with the Kansas City Chiefs as one of Patrick Mahomes’ targets.
Although the Patriots want a talented group of receivers to develop rookie quarterback Drake Maye the right way, it doesn’t mean Smith-Schuster is safe, and he knows that all too well, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.
“I feel everyone in that room is fighting for a spot … I have to prove [myself],” Smith-Schuster said.
“I feel everyone in that room is fighting for a spot … I have to prove [myself],” — WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, who seems to be part of a group of 3-4 pass-catchers competing for 1 possible spot pic.twitter.com/q4pogzR11S
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 30, 2024
Unfortunately for Smith-Schuster, he hasn’t been the same player since starring for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2020 NFL season, when he caught 97 passes for 831 yards and nine touchdowns. In the 2018 campaign, he recorded 111 receptions for 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns to earn his only Pro Bowl nod.
The 27-year-old’s numbers have fallen off since leaving Pittsburgh, which doesn’t bode well for him holding on to a spot on the rebuilding Patriots roster.
Last season, Smith-Schuster hauled in 29 passes for 260 receiving yards and one touchdown while playing in 11 games, starting only seven.
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