Meyers explains decision to exit for Vegas

Why didn’t the Patriots re-sign Jakobi Meyers?

After his new 3-year deal with the Raiders was reported Tuesday, Meyers reportedly spoke to NFL reporter Josina Anderson and explained his decision to leave New England, where there was mutual interest in his return.

“It’s hard to turn down Las Vegas when you look at their offense, when you look at their coaches. They wanted me, I wanted them,” Meyers said. “Unfortunately it didn’t work out with the Patriots. I put a lot of effort in my time there. I appreciate them, but God works in mysterious ways. I’m blessed.”

Meyers’ new contract is reportedly a 3-year, $33 million pact with $21 million guaranteed. The raw numbers are comparable to the 2-year, $22 million deal the Patriots signed Nelson Agholor to in 2021, when the NFL’S salary cap was $42.3 million lower. In Las Vegas, Meyers will reunite with former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh Mcdaniels, now the Raiders’ head coach.

Meyers has been the Pats’ leading receiver for three years running. He caught 67 passes for 804 yards and six touchdowns last year despite missing three games due to injury. The Patriots’ leftover receivers are Devante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton, plus practice-squad players Tre Nixon and Lynn Bowden Jr. Thornton is the only player of the group under contract past next season.

Meanwhile, the Patriots have reached terms with their first outside free agent.

Anderson, who turns 27 this month, has 11 career starts at left tackle and one at right tackle. Last season, he started seven of his 14 game appearances at left tackle and allowed just two sacks in 289 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Anderson also registered an allowed pressure rate of 3.6% and an average run-blocking grade.

He entered the league as an undrafted rookie with the Patriots in 2019. Soon after his deal was announced, Anderson confirmed his agreement by tweeting, “I remember signing with you after the draft! Everything comes full circle, and I can’t wait to give you everything I have and more. Not much for me to say, but a lot for me to do. Let’s work.”