The New England Patriots have just about $8 million in salary-cap space heading into the 2022 offseason, but Pro Football Focus has big plans for Bill Belichick. They’re projecting another sizable spending spree for the Patriots.
PFF thinks the Patriots will re-sign corner J.C. Jackson (four years, $72 million ($56 million guaranteed)) and add cornerback Charvarious Ward (Three years, $34.5 million ($19.5 million guaranteed)) and receiver Juju Smith-Schuster. It sounds really great for New England, who could definitely use all three players to help take another step toward returning to the Super Bowl. PFF does not clarify how, exactly, the Patriots will pay for all that talent with such little cap space.
But here’s a look at what they wrote on Smith-Schuster, who the Patriots could, in theory, bag on a one year, $8 million ($6.25 million guaranteed) deal:
“Smith-Schuster turned down a multi-year deal with the Chiefs last offseason then proceeded to get injured early in the 2021 season. Thus, it’ll probably be tough for him to get a multi-year deal on the market for the value he wants. He’s still only 25 years old and has logged five years in the league, so he will still be an attractive option for WR needy teams.
“One of those teams should be the Patriots, who need to get Mac Jones more weapons. Smith-Schuster can serve as a reliable receiver out of the slot for New England.”
Smith-Schuster is just the kind of big-bodied wideout that N’Keal Harry was meant to be. But it’s likely he is on the outs with New England. Smith-Schuster has not exactly be a true WR1, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t someday be one, with New England looking for just that.
