Patriots Release JuJu Smith-Schuster
The New England Patriots have released wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster after just one year with the team. Smith-Schuster signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Patriots in March 2023. During his tenure, he played in 11 games, starting seven of them, and recorded 29 catches for 260 yards and one touchdown. His release will cost the Patriots $9.6 million in dead money this year, including his $7 million guaranteed salary. The team will now rely on young talents like Demario Douglas and rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker.
Preseason Week 1 Highlights
Week 1 of the NFL preseason provided a glimpse into the upcoming regular season. Numerous first-round draft picks made their debuts, including Caleb Williams (Bears), Drake Maye (Patriots), Jayden Daniels (Commanders), and Michael Penix Jr. (Falcons). New head coaches also led their teams for the first time, and the league’s new kickoff rule came into effect.
New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers
The New England Patriots struggled in their preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. Quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye both had difficulty leading scoring drives against Carolina’s backups. The Panthers did not play most of their starters, indicating ongoing offensive struggles.
Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants
Hendon Hooker made a promising debut for the Detroit Lions after recovering from a knee injury. This preseason is crucial for Hooker to gain reps and develop further. The New York Giants showcased a strong ground attack with running backs Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Eric Gray performing well.
Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Tank Dell made a significant impact on the Houston Texans offense by connecting with quarterback C.J. Stroud for a touchdown. On the defensive side, the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie linebacker Payton Wilson displayed strong defensive instincts and tackling ability.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins
Michael Penix Jr. showed leadership for the Atlanta Falcons in his debut, providing vital reps as part of Atlanta’s quarterback succession plan. The Miami Dolphins rookie running back Jaylen Wright impressed with his speed and dynamism, adding depth to Miami’s backfield.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Kelee Ringo had strong performances in coverage. For the Baltimore Ravens, rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins excelled with multiple defended passes, ready to step up if needed due to injuries among starters.
Washington Commanders vs. New York Jets
Jayden Daniels showed promise for the Washington Commanders by executing well in his debut drive. The New York Jets rookie running back Braelon Allen demonstrated power running ability, complementing the existing backfield options.
Chicago Bears vs. Buffalo Bills
Caleb Williams excited fans in his debut for the Chicago Bears, showcasing exceptional talent despite simplified schemes. The Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman showed potential despite limited success in end zone targets.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback competition remains unresolved as both Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew II had solid performances. The Minnesota Vikings rookie Dallas Turner made an immediate impact with a sack and multiple quarterback hits.
Green Bay Packers vs. Cleveland Browns
Lukas Van Ness emerged as an impact defender for the Green Bay Packers, dominating with tackles for loss and a sack. The Cleveland Browns suffered multiple key injuries during the game, affecting team depth moving forward.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Undrafted running back Carson Steele shined for the Kansas City Chiefs with his physical running style, adding depth to the Chiefs’ backfield options. The Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. showcased his downfield threat capability, expected to help open up Jacksonville’s offense this season.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans
Will Levis and the Tennessee Titans offense looked improved, with Levis leading two touchdown drives in the new offensive system. Unheralded defensive tackle Kalia Davis pushed for a roster spot with tackles for loss and a sack against the Titans’ backup offensive linemen.
New Orleans Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals first-round rookie Darius Robinson showed potential as a defensive chess piece, while Marvin Harrison Jr. did not make an immediate impact. The New Orleans Saints found a viable downfield target in A.T. Perry, who impressed with four catches for 85 yards.
Other Notable Updates
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is likely to play against the Texans in his first game action since a season-ending knee injury last November. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow returned from a wrist injury and led a touchdown drive in preseason action. Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown suffered a sternoclavicular joint dislocation against the Jaguars and was taken to the hospital for evaluation. The Raiders quarterbacks Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew played well against the Vikings, leading the Raiders to four consecutive scoring drives. The Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy showed promise with two touchdown passes in his preseason debut despite a rocky start.
This week in the NFL has been filled with significant player movements, preseason debuts, and injury updates. Stay tuned for more updates as the preseason progresses and teams finalize their rosters for the regular season.
