NFL Rumors: Former Patriots star set to bag massive contract in free agency
The New England Patriots might see themselves making some tough decisions regarding their roster in the offseason.
For starters, they might lose a key part of their offense last season due to the potential value on the free agent market. According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers could be in for a huge contract with the Patriots or another team this offseason.
Reiss said:
"How a player’s market develops can often be unpredictable, and it takes only one team to blow it out of the water. But if Meyers ultimately lands a deal consistent with those of his ilk, he’ll be earning in the range of $15 million to $20 million per season.Whether the Patriots view him worthy of such a contract represents one of the first key dominos to fall in a critical offseason."
Meyers signed a one-year contract worth up to $4 million ahead of the 2022 season with New England. The undrafted free agent out of NC State had 67 receptions, 804 yards, and six touchdowns last season for the team.
He led them in both yards and touchdowns and was second in receptions. For coach and de facto general manager Bill Belichick, are they willing to pay Meyers around $15-20 million a season in a contract extension?
What would a likely contract for Meyers look like for Patriots?
According to the salary cap and player contract site Spotrac, the 26-year-old's market value is a four-year, $50 million contract.
The projected deal would put Meyers in the same category as wideouts Terry McLaurin and Allen Robinson. The Commanders gave McLaurin a three-year, $68.4 million contract extension last July.
Allen Robinson inked a three-year, $46.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams last March as a free agent. Looking at both McLaurin's and Robinson's deals, they fall short of the projected $15-20 million Reiss has said.
However, it's not beyond the realm of possibility that the Patriots would give the talented Meyers that sort of deal. We will this offseason if New England keeps Meyers or he will don another uniform in the 2023 season.
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