Dec 24, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) warms up before the start of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots
(New York, NY) — Patriots fan-favorite Jakobi Myers is leaving town for Las Vegas, but not because he wanted to.
Bill Belicheck’s decision not to re-sign the wideout has irked many, including Meyers himself. A few of Meyers’ former Patriots teammates have said as much to NFL Network’s Mike Giardi. On Friday, Giardi spoke with NBCS Boston’s Tom Curran on “Arbella Early Edition” to share what he’s been told:
“Universally panned by everyone I talked to. And some people offered their comments to me — players — without me prompting them. I just got a text.
“The idea that you reward one of your own who came from undrafted free agency, and built himself up. We gotta roll this guy out there, we gotta trust his instincts to play football.’”
A particular sticking point has been Juju Smith-Schuster’s contract with New England, which looks a lot like the one Meyers is getting from Las Vegas. Schuster got a three-year, $33 million dollar deal. Why would the Pats go for Juju instead of Jakobi if they were willing to offer the same price? Patriot Matthew Judon seemed to be contemplating that question when he tweeted “Nah nah it was a joke come on backk haha got ya.
And we’ve talked to Devin McCourty, and he’s been public about it, he thought Jakobi Meyers was one of the next leaders of the football team, and now that guy’s gone because they weren’t willing to pay him. The value they put on him vs. the value that the Raiders — even though that’s essentially a one-year deal — it wasn’t close.”
The move isn’t popular, but Meyers has a three-year deal in Vegas and New England has their wide receiver. Win-win?
