The New England Patriots have reportedly been working behind the scenes to strike up a new deal with free agent receiver Jakobi Meyers, but according to recent reports, those discussions haven’t really gone anywhere.
MassLive’s Mark Daniels is reporting that Meyers is “doubtful” to accept a “team-friendly” deal to return to New England. So that could mean the Patriots might have to pay up to keep their leading receiver on the roster for the 2023 season.
Timing is obviously in Meyers’ favor with a weaker free agent market at the receiver position. As of right now, he’s the big-ticket option for receiver-needy teams, and the Patriots might not be willing to engage in a high bidding war.
My understanding with Jakobi is that it was always doubtful he would return on a ‘team friendly deal.’ He wants to return, but the Patriots will have to pay for it https://t.co/H27BUehvwJ
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) March 5, 2023
Meyers’ stance is completely understandable considering he worked his way up from an undrafted rookie free agent and scratched and clawed his way to the opportunity to cash in at some point.
Now that the moment has finally arrived, he is set to reap the rewards of his hard work.
The Patriots may not be in a position to be offering up a big contract to Meyers, when they still need a legitimate No. 1 option to scare opposing defenses. Unless the receiver market cools unexpectedly, Meyers returning to New England is seeming less likely the closer the team gets to free agency.
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