Jakobi Meyers was one of the best free agent signings of the Josh McDaniels era, and a big decision on his Meyers’ contract has been looming over the Raiders since the start of the offseason.
Meyers has 158 receptions in his two years with the Raiders and last year he eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career.
Now the Raiders’ no. 1 wideout is looking for a new contract and according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, negotiations between the team and Meyers have been going on for a while. With less than three weeks before the start of the season, the sides are still at an impasse and there is undeniably some frustration building.
It’s not something that has been talked about much, but if Meyers were to initiate a holdout before the start of the season (or even during the season), it would put the Raiders in a difficult spot.
Without Meyers, the Raiders would have the weakest wide receiver room in the NFL and as much as the organization is taking the long-term approach with the roster, there’s no question they want to win now. Additionally, Pete Carroll didn’t take the Raiders’ job at 73 years-old to win contract disputes.
There has been no indication that Meyers would hold out if he doesn’t get a new contract, but there has been a shift in his tone lately, and from a business standpoint, there aren’t many NFL agents who would recommend him taking the field in September without a new deal.
Vegas beat writer Levi Damien asked Meyers last week how much he would like to remain with the team after the season, and the veteran wide receiver’s response was notable.
“As much as they want me here,” Meyers answered quickly. “That’s really all I can say about that.”
From the standpoint of initiating a holdout, there aren’t many players in the league who could cripple a position group more than what Meyers could do to the Raiders.
Tre Tucker is having a solid training camp, but at his size he’s never going to be a no. 1 wide receiver at the NFL level. Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton are rookies to be optimistic about, but neither are close to being ready to fill a potential void left by Meyers.
For those reasons, the Raiders don’t have a lot of leverage with Meyers and as one of the true professionals and hardest workers in the locker room, he isn’t the kind of player most organizations look to dig in with on a messy contract dispute.
Sooner than later, look for the Raiders to figure out a contract resolution with Meyers, and if they don’t, it would be risky and maybe even foolish for Meyers (from a business standpoint) to take the field without financial guarantees beyond this year.
Daniel Carlson is way more important than Meyers.
That LB, JC Chaisson, even Moehring should be precedent over Meyers. If we didn’t sign them, let him go
What?? Meyers was given the chance last year as the #1 WR. He dropped Zero balls all season and went over 1000 yds as the first time WR and he’s not as good as the punter?? That’s a joke right?
You’re clowning around
Meyers may be the #1 WR on the Raiders, but he IS NOT a WR1 in terms of his status in the NFL. He does not scare opposing defenses. He is a decent WR2 and on many “good” NFL teams, he would be best suited as a WR3. Just because the Raiders have one of the weakest WR rooms in the league doesn’t mean that the Raiders should pay him WR1 money. The Raiders are at best a .500 this year, and arguably the weakest team in the AFC West, so even if he was to holdout, it’s not like the Raiders are going to be vying for a playoff spot with him. Geno is a stop-gap just to stay somewhat competitive. The Raiders need to look to the future and build the team accordingly and not make knee-jerk signings/trades, just to “look” competitive.
I agree, Meyers is NOT a WR1, its ludicrous for him to ask for that li d of money. Go get Mclaurin or turret hill that pay Meyers WR2 money
Every time I read the comments on this site, I realize that stupidity reigns supreme!
We have a lot of cap space, but we don’t have a decent WR, neither #1 nor #2, just promising young players, and we shouldn’t re-sign a WR who has never made a bad statement, works, catches, blocks, doesn’t drop balls… and we shouldn’t re-sign him for another three years because someone says… he’s not a #1 receiver!? Are you stupid or what? As if it were your money.
sign him… maybe not top dollar that’s ridiculous… but he’s very good,reliable,safe and always there.. sign him
This is the situation the Raiders have put themselves into with their win-now approach with a coach that wants to win now, but has a roster that probably isn’t ready to win now. If they were in more of a rebuilding mode, it would be a simple decision to trade Myers for the best offer and move on.
But with Thornton and Bech being totally unproven, and Tre Tucker proven to not be a serviceable outside receiver, Myers has a lot of leverage. If the Raiders want to compete, they need him, or someone equivalent or better to fill that role. So it’s either pay Myers or give up draft capital in a trade for a replacement.
Win now? Does any Raider fan honestly think we are going to “win now” with a soon to be 35 year old Geno Smith, we will win just enough games to screw ourselves in next years draft.
Some really dumb people in these comments. Meyers has been more than we expected, and he’s had the right attitude, and works hard. Every team wants players like him. We need him. Plus, he deserves it (at the right price for a quality WR2). Those of you acting like he’s a “decent” WR2 or maybe even a 3, you’re morons.
Because everyone knows the Raiders WR room is weak, he and his agent likely feel like they have leverage……what if they insist on WR1 money? Just because the Raiders have the cap room, you still signing him at that level?
It seems like most people agree he’s not a #1 on other teams and shouldn’t be paid as one with the Raiders. He’s a team guy that does everything well and wasn’t the true #1 even with us as that was Bowers. Pete and Spytek didn’t overdraft Bech to watch him not play. Thornton seems to have potential as one of the outside WRs and it seems to me that trading Meyers should’ve happened as soon as they did draft Bech. I’m sure multiple teams would’ve paid at least a 3rd for for Meyers during the draft. A 4th should’ve been acceptable due to him being in his last year. Now we don’t know exactly what he’d like to have as compensation but 20 per year would be to much let alone anything higher. Personally I thought he was the person most likely to be traded.
I’m saying sign Myers on a contract that works for both sides. Maybe incentives based. Regardless he’s becoming one of the faces of the RAIDERS and in my opinion it would be a huge mistake letting him leave. Just ask the Patriots. Plus our younger receivers can learn from him.
Hard to say on that one as a fan he still hasn’t gotten a full season at the 1. Remember we started with Adams unfortunately. What a wimp and quiter he turned out to be. Cant even throw it down for your childhood team, you don’t deserve a single contract.