Patriots bet on young WR core with shocking JuJu Smith-Schuster release

New England Patriots fans have spent the last two months dreaming of a trade that would send Brandon Aiyuk to Foxborough. While the Patriots reportedly had a deal in place to acquire Aiyuk from the 49ers -- with a mammoth contract offer to boot -- the star wide receiver did not want to go to New England.

While the Patriots offered Aiyuk $32 million per year, he reportedly doesn't think highly of the quarterback room and nixed New England as a landing spot. It's a tough pill to swallow for the Patriots faithful as Aiyuk was seen as a perfect WR1 to complement the team's young collection of receivers.

Even though Aiyuk is (likely) headed to Pittsburgh, the Patriots are betting on their young receiving core nonetheless as they shocking released veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster on Friday.

Patriots shockingly release wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster

Smith-Schuster signed a three-year, $25.5 million contract with the Patriots last offseason. It was their most notable free-agent splash, albeit one that raised questions given Smith-Schuster's steady decline since the 2020 season. His only season in New England was marred by injuries as he played only 11 games (just seven starts) and logged the lowest snap share of his career.

The former second-round pick finished the season with 29 catches for 260 yards and one touchdown. There's no way to sugarcoat it -- it was a failed signing and Bill Belichick's latest failed attempt to replenish its wide receiver room.

There is something to be said about the Patriots admitting defeat. Smith-Schuster is clearly nearing the end of his career and his departure will open up more snaps for the young receivers on the roster, namely 2023 sixth-round pick Demario Douglas and rookie draft picks Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker.

As that trio develops, Kendrick Bourne is the clearcut No. 1 target in the offense followed by savvy free-agent signing K.J Osborn.

Smith-Schuster was set to count for $10.28 million on the salary cap this season. He's owed $7 million fully guaranteed as well. The fact the Patriots decided to cut him loose shows how far he's fallen down the depth chart this summer. It could also foreshadow that the likes of Baker, Polk and Douglas are about to prove a lot of people wrong.

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