‘Lot Of People’ Knew Patriots’ $25.5 Million Signee Was Damaged Goods, Per Insider

The New England Patriots have to act fast and repair the damage before it is too late. The team lost three games so far. Who is the first to go? Head coach Bill Belichick have to make some changes to the Patriots roster and one signee could be on his way out.

Albert Breer from NBC Sports Boston reported that JuJu Smith-Schuster deals with terrible knee issues.

“JuJu Smith-Schuster’s knee is a mess, and that thing could explode at any point.” This is not something Patriots fans would like to hear.

Smith-Schuster wouldn’t agree on this one, but his performance early in the regular season is far from promising. The talented player seems to have trouble getting back on track and his knee may be worse than it appears.

Breer talked about Smith-Schuster’s knee issues during his appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston. We have a few reasons to believe that the Patriots organization is not happy with this development of events.

“Not only was Smith-Schuster’s knee a problem, but everyone knew it. That included Bill Belichick and the Pats’ brain trust.”

Scott Zolak asked Breer about his sources and his response will shock you.

“A lot of people. There was a lot of concern that the knee was going to get worse not better, by other teams. Which is why other teams stayed away from him. Which is why he was available at this price point. And I am sorry, if you’re not going to spend on the high end, this is what you’re gonna wind up with.”

Patriots should have taken another turn with their signee

Pro Football Focus gave him a 56.9 rating and Smith-Schuster ended 83^rd overall.  The Patriots offered him a three-year deal worth $25.5 million.

“He came at a discount because the knee gave you the chance to sign a guy at a premium position with a less-than-premium rate,” Breer said. “You pay him with the hope that he’s gonna turn into what he used to be. I almost think, the fact that it was a three-year deal, there’s benefits to both sides with that. He gets some guaranteed money in Year 2, so he’s not just on a one-year deal, and you have three years of control over him in case he turns back into what he was.

“I think we’re so conditioned to think a guy’s making a certain amount here, sometimes we forget what the rest of the league is doing, right? Receivers are getting paid, $23, $24, $25 million a year. A.J. Brown got $25 million in Philly. So, at that price point, you either get a guy who is a 2 or a 3, or you get a guy who is reclamation project like this.”