Jakobi Meyers, 28, coming off a season where he had 200-plus targets and weapons. He is therefore in a very difficult position as he enters the last year of his contract. Meyers signed a three-year, $33 million deal in 2023 and led NFL centers with a near-80% win rate in true pass sets. With questions about his contract negotiations, requests on the trade market maneuverings have led to serious questions about his future on the squad.
Meyers’ current deal has him at $10.5 million base salary for 2025. It carries a salary cap hit of $14.98 million. His numbers have certainly stood out. Last year he had a career-high 1,027 yards and four touchdowns, and added a whopping 87 receptions. He’s shown tremendous production, as he’s strung together four consecutive seasons with a minimum of 800 receiving yards. On top of that, he produces with a remarkable low drop rate at 1.6% on 129 targets.
Despite his successful track record, that wasn’t enough for Meyers not to request a trade. This followed after failing to come to terms on a contract with the Raiders. His extraordinary team promptly rejected his request. Meyers had made it adamantly clear that he would not abandon the organization, especially not in this transitional phase. He put it best in his own words, “I have no idea, to be honest,” capturing the plight all too well.
Given everything Meyers is up against, though, he’s chosen to not entertain a holdout. He emphasized his desire to be present for his teammates, stating, “If it wasn’t for them, I probably would’ve done the same thing everybody else did.” This commitment serves as a strong signal of his commitment to the agency even amidst the continued negotiations.
General Manager John Spytek commended Meyers’ professionalism throughout this process, calling him a “consummate professional.” Spytek mentioned that they’ve been able to have a lot of really fruitful discussions about all different subjects since he came aboard with the Raiders.
Meyers remains hopeful of getting a deal worked out before the end of this season. He demonstrates an admirable desire to compromise, despite having been dealt some tough hands just recently. He asserted, “I proved enough that I deserve to be here,” underscoring his belief in his value to the Raiders.
Once the season starts, these are discussions that both Meyers and the Raiders will want to avoid as best they can. As such, how their negotiations go will largely determine what Meyers’ future with the team holds. It could reshape how often they use him within their offensive game plan.
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