Concerns raised over New England Patriots' free agent addition
By Devin Hurst
New England Patriots wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster may have more serious health issues than Patriots fans anticipated. Albert Breer reported how the Kansas City Chiefs were "not willing to go very far with him financially". Chiefs brass told Breer Smith-Schuster's knees were so bad the week of the super bowl they didn't think he was even going to play in the big game. With this being a concern, Breer said, he would not be surprised if the Patriots keep six or even seven wideouts on the roster come cut-down day.
"I think they're going to keep high numbers at receiver."
— NBC Sports Boston's Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) August 14, 2023
Albert Breer discusses the 2 qualities that will protect Tyquan Thornton's roster spot, and why he believes the #patriots may keep 6 or 7 receivers pic.twitter.com/Db8boRarnM
Smith-Schuster was the Patriots big free agent signing this offseason. The 26-year-old receiver signed a three-year deal worth just over $25 million dollars. After letting Jacobi Meyers reunite with former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas the Patriots had a massive hole in the receiver room. Meyers was coming off another good year with the Patriots putting up 67 catches with just over 804 yards.
With the Chiefs last season Smith-Schuster had a resurgence year after a disappointing 2021 season. In 16 games played the wide receiver tallied 78 catches for 933 yards and three touchdowns. These great statistical numbers, for the bargain the Patriots paid, as the wide receiver market around the league continues to soar, definitely should cause concern on why the Chiefs were not willing to match the Patriots offer.
This news may explain why rookie receiver Demario Douglas barely saw the field in the first preseason game. Many speculated, and probably accurately, assumed that by Douglas getting minimal snaps in the first preseason game he all but has a roster spot locked up. With this news of possibly keeping more wide receivers on the initial 53-man roster, this may open up a spot for rookie wideout Kayshon Boutte. Boutte was drafted out of Louisiana State University (LSU) coming off an underwhelming year for the Tigers. The sixth-round rookie has recently started to flash at training camp and it will be interesting to see if he can make the team.