Patriots catch shots after JuJu Smith-Schuster Primetime Gem

Patriots fans watching Monday night's primetime matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints were probably wondering: Why couldn't JuJu Smith-Schuster do it in New England?

Smith-Schuster, signed by the Patriots after a short but uninspiring training camp, finished the Week 5 win over the Saints with seven catches on eight targets for 130 yards. His 130 yards were his most since December 2018, when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Smith-Schuster did not catch seven passes in any game with the Patriots during the 2023 season – he caught one pass in five of 11 games. The veteran wideout also accumulated more than 51 yards in just one game – he had 15 or fewer yards in seven of 11 games.

Smith-Schuster's performance coupled with New England's struggles at wide receiver this season resulted in the Patriots coming under fire from football fans and members of the media.

Here's what some of them had to say:

@BenjaminSolak posted on

@davidhelman_ posted on Bowl Team. Finesse King”

@mikekadlick posted on X: “I'm starting to think the #Patriots misused JuJu Smith-Schuster…”

@thebradwhitaker posted on X: “The Patriots have a lot of weapons at receiver. I know this because Juju Smith-Schuster, who wasn’t good enough to make the team, is currently moving to the Chiefs.”

@PeterDombrowsk6 posted on X: “Why can't the Patriots find receivers like JuJu Smith-Schuster?”

@m_anderson2015 posted on X: “I guess Juju Smith-Schuster isn't washed. It was just the Patriots.”

@dan_goes_ham posted on X: “Looks like the Patriots could use a guy like Juju Smith-Schuster.”

One obvious difference is that Smith-Schuster had Patrick Mahomes throw the ball to him on Monday after a 2023 season with Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. Smith-Schuster is also further away from a knee injury.