Anyone who spent five minutes tuning into the New England Patriots, especially on offense, in 2022 can tell you this team struggled to move the chains. Not only did Mac Jones struggle in his second season, but the team’s receivers, led by Jakobi Meyers, also failed to make a consistent impact.
Needless to say, after ranking in the middle of the pack, averaging 21.4 points per game, the Patriots will place an emphasis on improving their scoring attack before the 2023 season kicks off. Part of that effort is already underway, with the hiring of Bill O’Brien to take over offensive coordinator and play-calling duties.
But aside from coaching, some personnel changes will have to be made. As is, most would agree, after leading the team in receiving yards each of the past three seasons, Meyers is the best pass-catcher on the Patriots.
The biggest issue is that Meyers will become an unrestricted free agent on March 15 unless the Patriots can reach a contract extension with their 26-year-old receiver first.
In what looks like a scarce market for free agent receivers, Meyers could be viewed as one of the better options in free agency this offseason. As you know, a lack of supply leads to high demand, which in this case, could drive Meyers’ price up.
- Jakobi Meyers stats in 2022: 67 receptions, 804 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 57.4 YPG
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Meyers could be looking at somewhere between $15 and $20 million annually. This salary range would be similar to what Christian Kirk received from the Jacksonville Jaguars last year in free agency when he signed a four-year, $72 million contract, giving him the ninth-highest cap hit among receivers.
This deal was widely panned at the time as an overpay, but it’s hard to argue with Kirk’s success, seeing that he tallied a career-high 1,108 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Can Meyers get a similar contract, and if so, can he take another step, as we saw from Kirk last season? It all depends on the fit and his role in the offense he lands in. With New England, there isn’t a current threat to steal his target share, but he also doesn’t have Trevor Lawrence throwing him the ball, as Kirk did.
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