Less than 24 hours after the New England Patriots’ first preseason game on Thursday, they decided to part with one of their veteran wide receivers.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, New England is releasing wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the team last March.

The move itself wasn’t surprising after the Patriots used second- and fourth-round picks on wide receivers Ja’Lynn Polk (No. 37) and Javon Baker (No. 110) in the 2024 NFL Draft and both have impressed throughout training camp.

So what is next for Smith-Schuster?

The former second-round pick will likely get another shot elsewhere as he is still only 27, but the team that drafted him — the Steelers — shouldn’t entertain a reunion.

While Smith-Schuster helped deliver a Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs two seasons ago, he has fallen off since.

In 2023, he registered only 29 catches for 260 yards and one touchdown in 11 games while battling knee issues.

Smith-Schuster said he was 100 percent healthy in May.

“It’s not easy coming off a knee injury and having a long season and coming back really short,” Smith-Schuster said via Jared Dubin of CBS Sports. “I feel great, honestly. I feel great. I’ve never felt better. I’m just excited to finally be out here around this time and participating.”

However, New England must have felt differently as he entered the season buried on the depth chart.

Smith-Schuster would not only bring health concerns back to Pittsburgh but potentially some unnecessary distractions as well.

The Steelers felt it was time to move on from him following the 2021 season as he was highly criticized for his activity on social media. They should continue to trust that decision.

Pittsburgh has been searching for a more established No. 2 option opposite George Pickens, but Smith-Schuster is not distinctly better than Van Jefferson, who currently holds that role.

Instead, the Steelers should continue putting their time and effort into trying to acquire wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk from the 49ers.

Maybe Smith-Schuster can then join San Francisco as Aiyuk’s replacement. That’s a reunion the USC product would likely entertain.