Yardbarker
x
Jaguars’ Jakobi Meyers Leaves Special Message For Raiders
Jan 5, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Jan 5, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

With the 2025 NFL season quickly slipping away from the Las Vegas Raiders, the team made the tough decision to trade away Jakobi Meyers to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for 2026 fourth and sixth-round picks.

Meyers was considered one of the likeliest players to get dealt at the NFL trade deadline due to the Raiders’ stumbles this season, and he lands on a Jacksonville squad that’s still in playoff contention. The Jaguars’ offense took a hit when Travis Hunter was placed on injured reserve, so Meyers was a perfect target for fit and need purposes.

Las Vegas was unable to get an extension done with Meyers in the offseason, so the two always seemed destined to part ways. Meyers was one of the few free agent signings that panned out for the Raiders, but their inability to win games eventually made the underrated wideout expendable.

Despite being dealt to the Jaguars, Meyers expressed his love and appreciation for his former teammates via Ezekiel Trezevant of SI.com:

“Shoutout to my boys in Vegas. It’s going to turn around. Y’all boys keep playing hard. I love y’all boys, I miss y’all boys,” Meyers said.

The constant losing can wear on a player, but it seems Meyers genuinely cared about the locker room. Meyers never publicly disrespected the players or organization, so it feels like the sides can part ways on a high note.

Losing Meyers leaves Las Vegas incredibly shallow at the wide receiver position as they’ll now need to rely on the likes of Jack Bech and Tre Tucker to handle more passing opportunities. Brock Bowers finally looks healthy after dealing with a knee injury earlier this season, so he’s expected to assume even more offensive responsibility now.

For Jacksonville, Meyers will be a great intermediate or downfield target for Trevor Lawrence. Brian Thomas Jr. hasn’t taken the second-year leap most thought he would, but perhaps having a legitimate No. 2 in Meyers opens up the rest of his game.

Long term, this was the correct move for the Raiders as they’re now armed with additional draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Derek Carr shares telling reaction to Jakobi Meyers trade

Unlike Jakobi Meyers, Derek Carr had a more disappointing end to his Raiders tenure. Carr may not have ended on the best terms with Las Vegas, but he still felt for players like Maxx Crosby, who had to see a good player in Meyers leave.

This article first appeared on Raiders Newswire and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!