Per reports from NFL Network on Monday, Jakobi Meyers, a wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders, has formally requested a change of scenery through a trade.
The Raiders organization, according to the same source, is currently disinclined to fulfill this request. The impasse stems from a failure between Meyers and the Raiders to reach an agreement regarding the terms of a new contract extension this offseason.
Shortly after the initial news regarding the trade request, NFL Network also disclosed that the Raiders have successfully reached a one-year agreement with free-agent wide receiver Amari Cooper. This arrangement marks the return of Cooper to the team which originally drafted him in the opening round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Cooper, a 31-year-old veteran and a five-time Pro Bowl selectee, divided his time during the 2024 season between the Cleveland Browns and the Buffalo Bills. Over 14 games, he recorded 44 receptions, accumulating 547 receiving yards and scoring four touchdowns.
Meyers, who is 28 years old, stood out as the leading wide receiver for the Raiders in 2024, amassing 87 receptions for a total of 1,027 yards and scoring four touchdowns. The emergence of this trade request occurs less than a fortnight before the Raiders are scheduled to commence their season on September 7, with a game against the New England Patriots.
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This development presents a potential setback for the Raiders, particularly as they embark on the season with a revamped coaching staff and a redesigned offensive strategy. Under the guidance of Pete Carroll, the newly appointed head coach, the Raiders are set to feature Geno Smith as their quarterback, alongside the highly anticipated rookie running back, Ashton Jeanty.
Without a new contract, Jakobi Meyers reportedly wants out of Las Vegas.
(Steph Chambers via Getty Images)
Assuming he remains active, Meyers is anticipated to continue in his role as the primary wide receiver for Las Vegas. He would form a formidable pass-catching partnership with All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers. As of the report, it remains uncertain whether Meyers intends to abstain from team activities or miss scheduled games if his trade request remains unfulfilled.
Meyers has one year remaining on his current three-year contract, valued at $33 million. Unless an extension is agreed upon, he is slated to become a free agent in 2026. He initially signed this contract as a free agent from the New England Patriots prior to the 2023 season. Throughout his two seasons with the Raiders, he has demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving career-high statistics in both receptions and receiving yards during the previous season.
Since the inception of his contract, the market for wide receivers has experienced substantial growth, with numerous elite receivers in the league securing contracts worth upwards of $30 million annually. While Meyers may not quite reach that top-tier echelon, his performance has surpassed the $11 million average annual value of his existing deal. He would likely command a higher financial package if he were to explore opportunities on the open market.
The Raiders’ wide receiver corps is already facing depth challenges, even with the addition of Cooper. Tre Tucker is currently the next in line on the team’s depth chart, having recorded 47 receptions for 539 yards and three touchdowns last season. The Raiders’ receiving options also include second-round draftee Jack Bech and fourth-round draftee Dont’e Thornton Jr.
