Patriots’ FA flop shoulders blame for loss to Commanders

New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots’ big-ticket free-agent flop shoulders blame for loss to Commanders

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 11/6/23

JuJu Smith-Schuster didn't mince words after his costly mistake against the Washington Commanders.

“It was a good ball, went through my hands. Interception. Game over," Smith-Schuster said bluntly.

With under 40 seconds remaining in regulation and down three points, the New England Patriots marched into Commanders territory, threatening to extend the game. However, their comeback bid was ultimately spoiled when a Mac Jones pass bounced off the hands of Smith-Schuster and into the waiting arms of Commanders safety Jartavius Martin.

COMMANDERS SECURE THE W. #HTTC pic.twitter.com/VZ60rjRlUj
— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023

“It’s all on me,” Smith-Schuster added. “He (Jones) put the ball in a good position. I just gotta make the catch.”

Smith-Schuster's game-sealing error is the latest gut-wrenching blunder in a season littered with frustration for the Patriots. Now sitting at 2-7 on the season, New England is five-plus games below .500 for the first time since the end of the 2000 season, via ESPN.

As for the team's big-ticket free-agent signing, Smith-Schuster continues to underwhelm in a Patriots uniform. Inked to a three-year, $25.5 million contract this offseason, Smith-Schuster arrived in Foxborough penciled in as Jones' go-to target. Instead, the reigning Super Bowl champion has been an utter afterthought in the Patriots lackluster aerial attack.

Smith-Schuster's six receptions and 51 yards against Washington each marked new season-highs for the wideout. Yet, despite New England placing Kendrick Bourne on injured reserve with a knee injury, the team continued to shy away from featuring Smith-Schuster regularly. He played just 23 offensive snaps in Week 9, fewer than rookie sixth-rounder Demario Douglas (53) and former practice squad player Jalen Reagor (49).

JuJu Smith-Schuster, the Patriots’ big free agent acquisition, played less than half the snaps yesterday as a 6th round rookie (Douglas) and a journeyman from the practice squad (Reagor) pic.twitter.com/zFLSZP0xtf
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) November 6, 2023

In seven games, Smith-Schuster has amassed a mere 140 yards receiving on 21 receptions. His 6.7 YPR also marks a new career-low, while he has found the end zone just once. He still has half of a season to prove his worth, but Smith-Schuster is quickly on his way to being labeled a free-agent bust — something that has occurred more regularly over Bill Belichick's recent run as a general manager.

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