Per information obtained by NFL Network on Monday, Jakobi Meyers, a wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders, has formally expressed his desire to be traded.
The Raiders are reportedly not planning to fulfill this request. Negotiations for a new contract between Meyers and the Raiders during this offseason have apparently been unsuccessful.
Shortly after details of the trade request became public, NFL Network indicated that the Raiders had reached an agreement with free-agent wide receiver Amari Cooper, securing his services for one year. This agreement marks Cooper’s return to the team that initially drafted him in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Cooper, a 31-year-old athlete with five Pro Bowl selections, divided the 2024 season between the Cleveland Browns and the Buffalo Bills, amassing 44 receptions for 547 yards and scoring four touchdowns over 14 games.
Meyers, aged 28, led the Raiders’ wide receivers in 2024, with 87 receptions, 1,027 yards gained, and four touchdowns. News of this trade request surfaces less than a fortnight prior to the Raiders’ scheduled season opener against the New England Patriots on September 7.
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This development poses a potential setback for the Raiders as they commence their season under a new coaching staff and with a restructured offensive strategy. With Pete Carroll as the first-year head coach, the Raiders’ offense will feature Geno Smith as quarterback and the dynamic rookie Ashton Jeanty as running back.
Without a new contract, Jakobi Meyers reportedly wants out of Las Vegas.
(Steph Chambers via Getty Images)
Assuming he continues to play, Meyers is anticipated to maintain his position as the Raiders’ primary wide receiver, forming a significant pass-catching partnership alongside All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers. The report does not specify whether Meyers intends to abstain from practices or games should his trade request be denied.
Meyers has one year remaining on his existing three-year contract, valued at $33 million, and is scheduled to become a free agent in 2026 unless an extension is agreed upon. He entered into this agreement before the 2023 season, joining as a free agent from the New England Patriots. He has performed admirably in his two seasons with the Raiders, achieving career highs in both receptions and receiving yards last season.
Since he signed his contract, the market value for wide receivers has increased substantially, with several of the league’s top players securing agreements valued at over $30 million annually. While Meyers may not quite reach that upper echelon of receivers, his performance has surpassed the $11 million average annual value of his contract, suggesting he could command a higher salary if he were to become a free agent.
The Raiders’ wide receiver lineup is currently somewhat limited, although the addition of Cooper provides some reinforcement. Tre Tucker is currently next in the depth chart, having recorded 47 receptions for 539 yards and three touchdowns last season. The Raiders’ receiving corps also includes second-round draftee Jack Bech and fourth-round draftee Dont’e Thornton Jr.
