Getty The New England Patriots' Mac Jones and Jakobi Meyers celebrate.
The New England Patriots have a decision to make regarding Jakobi Meyers this offseason, and one NFL writer believes that Meyers will find success on a new team in 2023.
Meyers, a wide receiver who’s been with the Patriots since 2019, could “blow up” with a new team and new quarterback and “could sail past 1,000 yards for the first time,” according to a January 31 story by Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport.
“The bill has now come due for that career season, as Meyers is set to become an unrestricted free agent. It makes sense for the Pats to lock up their leading receiver over the last three seasons,” Davenport said. “But Meyers has never had even 900 receiving yards in a season. As arguably the No. 1 free agent at the position this year, Meyers isn’t going to hurt for suitors.”
Meyers is coming off a 2022 season in which he was once again the Patriots’ leading receiver, hauling in 67 receptions for 804 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Patriots might be interested in bringing back Meyers, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
“Developing talent and retaining it is a core principle of successful teams, and that’s why the Patriots are expected to be motivated to sign Meyers to an extension,” Reiss wrote in a January 31 story. “It likely won’t come cheaply, but he is the type of player and person Bill Belichick will want to keep to help build around QB Mac Jones.”
Meyers, 26, was paid $4 million this season on his one-year deal. Spotrac expects him to get a three-year deal that would pay him about $12.5 million a year on average, which would make him the league’s 28th highest-paid receiver.
Jakobi Meyers Could Still Stay With the New England Patriots
Though Meyers is set to become an unrestricted free agent, there’s a chance he stays in New England. He told reporters on January 2 that he wanted to return, and quarterback Mac Jones has actively campaigned for Meyers to return in 2023.
“Jakobi’s one of the best — if not the best — teammates I’ve ever had,” Jones told reporters on January 8. “He’s a great person. He comes to work every day. Doesn’t complain. Does everything right. And he deserves everything that’s coming his way. So hopefully it’s with us. Yeah, he means a lot to me.”
Meyers commented on his free agent status when speaking with media.
“When that time comes I’ll cross that bridge,” Meyers said. “Whether I’m here or I’m not here, I’ll tell all the guys that I appreciate them. Because the locker room changes regardless of whether I’m here or not. So tell everybody that I appreciate them and embrace these couple moments with the guys.”
Meyers was then asked if he wanted to return.
“Oh, yeah. Definitely, definitely,” Meyers said. “I’ve put in a lot of time here. I’ve built a nice home here. So it’d be nice.”
The 26-year-old joined New England after playing college football at North Carolina State and signed as an undrafted free agent.
Jakobi Meyers Has a Great Relationship With New England Patriots Quarterback Mac Jones
The respect goes both ways between Jones and Meyers. The wide receiver discussed how proud he was of Jones for how the quarterback dealt with getting benched.
“He just showed who he was as a person. Not even just as a football player,” Meyers said of Jones. “One of my memories from the year was just seeing him out there playing while you hear people chanting another quarterback’s name. That’s something that’s tough to deal with, but he didn’t really complain. He strapped his chin strap up the next play and went back to work. I’m proud of him.”
2022 was a difficult season for Jones. He only threw for 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, per Pro Football Reference.