Controversy Stirs as Patriots Bench $25 Million WR During Game 1 Crunch Time
The Patriots did not want to pay wide receiver Jakobi Meyers during the NFL offseason, so they let him to sign with the Raiders on a three-year deal worth $33 million.
This decision was made because the Patriots did not want to pay him. In order to find a suitable replacement for him,
New England scoured the free agent market and eventually settled on JuJu Smith-Schuster, who was likewise offered a three-year deal, albeit one that was worth $25 million.
While Meyers was racking up nine receptions for 81 yards, two touchdowns, and a crucial first down in a victory in Las Vegas,
Smith-Schuster was rarely seen in his New England debut, especially when it counted the most.
Meyers' performance was more impressive than Smith-Schuster's. Smith-Schuster finished the game with four receptions for 33 yards,
but his most notable moment was a dropped throw just past midfield on a third-down play that would have given the Patriots a first down as they tried to gain momentum.
Smith-Schuster's other notable moment came late in the game as the Patriots tried to finish a fierce comeback.
No Smith-Schuster on the field. Instead, youngsters Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas.
Bill Belichick tried to quell the move's uproar fast. “We had different groups, different rotations, so we’re good with whoever is in there”.