Shortly before final roster cuts, Jakobi Meyers requested a trade. No deal was worked out on that front, but not for a lack of interest on the part of suitors.
Vegas turned aside interest from at least one team on the trade front prior to the start of the regular season. That came as little surprise at the time, given the Raiders’ preference to keep Meyers in the fold and the request from the suitor to have Vegas retain some of his 2025 salary. As the November 4 trade deadline approaches, Meyers is once again a name to watch regarding a change of scenery.
Multiple teams have called the Raiders about Meyers within the past two weeks, Josina Anderson of The Exhibit reports. As was the case this summer, those suitors have been informed no trade is coming at this point. There is of course time for that stance to change on Vegas’ part, particularly if the 2-4 team is unable to keep pace in the AFC West over the coming weeks.
Another key element in this situation is Meyers’ status as a pending free agent. The 28-year-old made it clear this offseason he would welcome an extension, but the lack of an agreement on that front sparked his trade request. Meyers has since confirmed the Raiders did not entertain the idea of dealing away their top receiver, leading to the realization he would at least begin the campaign in Vegas. That has been the case, with Meyers posting 329 scoreless yards so far.
Vegas ranks 30th in the NFL in points, and dealing away Meyers – who totaled a career-high 1,027 yards last season – would hinder the team’s offense even further. At this point, though, it is also unclear if a new deal will be struck in this situation. Per Anderson, talks have continued to take place on a Meyers extension; she adds it appears team and player are “somewhat close” when it comes to value. Meyers is attached to a three-year, $33MM pact signed well before the current Vegas regime led by head coach Pete Carroll, general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady was in place.
Meyers sought a raise this offseason, and while his production to date has not set him up for a pact near the top of the receiver market he will need a new deal once the 2025 campaign ends. Any acquiring team would therefore be likely to explore an extension provided one is not worked out by the Raiders in the near future. Meyers is attached to a base salary of $10.5MM this season, a prorated portion of which would become the responsibility of his new team in the event of a trade.
The Steelers are once again a team to watch regarding an in-season wideout acquisition. Absent Malik Nabers, meanwhile, the Giants could also be in the market for a notable addition. One or both of those squads could show interest in Meyers – if they have not done so already – while the Raiders decide how they wish to proceed ahead of the deadline.
It’s always nice to see a player who was a UDFA do well and there isn’t a lot not to like about Meyers. You have to think the Patriots are thinking “maybe we should have hung on to this guy”.