Patriots’ Offseason Buzz: Could a Jakobi Meyers Reunion Be in the Cards?
With the 2024 NFL regular season barely in the rearview mirror, the New England Patriots have wasted no time making headlines. The firing of head coach Jerod Mayo has jump-started their search for a new leader, and early indicators suggest Mike Vrabel is the frontrunner. The former Tennessee Titans coach reportedly has his sights set on bringing in Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator, and the Patriots are also set to interview Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
As the Patriots sort through their coaching options, other teams around the league are making moves of their own. On Thursday, the Las Vegas Raiders fired general manager Tom Telesco, just days after parting ways with head coach Antonio Pierce. With a fresh front office and coaching staff expected in Las Vegas, an intriguing opportunity for New England may have emerged: the chance to trade for wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and bring him back to Foxborough.
A Familiar Face for the Patriots’ Offense
Jakobi Meyers originally joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2019, quickly establishing himself as a reliable target. Over four seasons in New England, Meyers racked up 235 receptions for 2,758 yards and eight touchdowns. Despite his production, the Patriots let him walk in 2023 free agency, unwilling to match the three-year, $33 million offer he received from the Raiders. Instead, New England signed JuJu Smith-Schuster to a three-year, $25.5 million deal—a decision that hasn’t aged well.
Meyers, meanwhile, has flourished in Las Vegas. In two seasons with the Raiders, he recorded 158 catches for 1,834 yards and 12 touchdowns, including his first career 1,000-yard season in 2024. With one year remaining on his contract and a manageable $14.9 million cap hit for 2025, Meyers could be an ideal target for a Patriots offense in desperate need of upgrades at wide receiver.
Why Meyers Makes Sense for New England
The Patriots’ passing attack was among the league’s least effective in 2024, and their lack of reliable weapons has been a recurring issue. Meyers’ familiarity with the Patriots’ system and his proven ability to produce make him a logical fit as a WR2 alongside their current roster.
Adding to the intrigue is the upheaval in Las Vegas. With a new general manager and head coach on the way, the Raiders could look to retool their roster, potentially making Meyers available in a trade. Given New England’s prior interest and the fact that Meyers reportedly wanted to stay with the Patriots in 2023, a reunion could be mutually beneficial.
The Case for Picking Up the Phone
Bringing Jakobi Meyers back to New England wouldn’t come without a cost. The Patriots would likely need to part with draft capital to acquire him, but the potential benefits are clear. Meyers’ consistency, combined with his chemistry with the organization, could immediately bolster an offense that has struggled to support its quarterback play.
As the Patriots navigate their coaching search and prepare for an offseason of rebuilding, pursuing a trade for Meyers could be a savvy move. Whether or not the Raiders are open to dealing him remains to be seen, but New England would be wise to explore the possibility.
A Meyers reunion in Foxborough might just be the spark the Patriots need to turn their fortunes around in 2025.
