The New England Patriots offense got off to a sluggish start against the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday’s opener. It was compounded by multiple self-inflicted wounds, including wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster dropping a wide open pass on a would-be first down.
Smith-Schuster was one of the newest offensive additions for the Patriots in the offseason. He was a player they opted to bring in over re-signing Jakobi Meyers to a new deal.
Buy Patriots TicketsNot everyone was a fan of that decision considering how productive Meyers was in the offense. Drops have been an issue for Smith-Schuster in the past, and unfortunately for the Patriots, those issues reared its ugly head at the worst moment.
Another bad drop by the Patriots. This one by JuJu Smith Schuster. Would have been a first down.
Patriots punt team once again does its job. Eagles back within the 20. @abc6 #foreverne #nevsphi
— Ian Steele (@IanSteeleABC6) September 10, 2023
Here’s what Patriots Twitter was saying about the dropped pass.
JuJu Smith-Schuster drops a wide open first down catch. The Patriots just can’t get it going offensively, even though their defense is doing its job!!#ForeverNE #NFL #Kickoff2023
— Tadi Abedje (@realTadiAbedje) September 10, 2023
We paid JuJu Smith-Schuster instead of keeping Jakobi Meyers, the one guy Mac Jones had the most chemistry with. Fantastic. SMH
— Miroku1617 (@Miroku1617) September 10, 2023
JuJu Smith-Schuster, the guy who wanted to talk crap after his participation trophy for playing with Patrick Mahomes, dropping a wide open pass on 3rd down. pic.twitter.com/CHapemyCF6
— Shane Haff (@ShaneHaffNFL) September 10, 2023
Juju Smith-Schuster wouldn't make most teams roster. 🗑🗑🗑📉 pic.twitter.com/GLUbnkhu2d
— Thechek182 (@thechek182) September 10, 2023
Juju Smith-Schuster is in midseason form🔥pic.twitter.com/zROk2Uarx0
— David Nevil (@DNevil09) September 10, 2023
GET JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER OFF MY TEAM!
— Pronounced (Check) (@CheickMarcellus) September 10, 2023
JuJu Smith- Schuster all the trash talking you did and you can’t even catch the first throw to you 😂
— Katlyn Hall 🍍 (@katlyn_l_hall) September 10, 2023
Juju Smith-Schuster looking like his former teammate Kadarious Toney.
— Phillyfan88 (@Phillyfan8888) September 10, 2023
Awful drop by JuJu Smith Schuster, need to catch that.
— Saint (@SainttWolf) September 10, 2023
Find me a more unmotivated player than Juju Smith-Schuster on that dropped pass.
Buddy looks like he doesn't want to be here.
— Alex (@AbsCoverage) September 10, 2023
Really tough to see JuJu Smith-Schuster make an embarrassing mistake like that.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) September 10, 2023
JuJu Smith-Schuster has to come up with that.
— Greg Dudek (@gdudek10) September 10, 2023