With the final roster cut deadline breathing down everyone’s neck, Mike Vrabel is scanning the league for stray talent. In Foxborough offense is being curated around rookie QB Drake Maye. At pretty much the same time, a WR1 made it clear his patience had run out. Jakobi Meyers has made it clear he wants out of Las Vegas. The timing is stunning, but the roots of his decision trace back to stalled contract talks. Meyers is fresh off a career-best 2024 campaign, tallying 87 catches, 1,027 yards, and four touchdowns while adjusting to three different quarterbacks. Yet the Raiders remain hesitant to extend him, even as he enters the final year of his three-year deal. Tension has boiled over, and now the question lingers in every huddle and locker room across the league—where does Meyers land next?

Jakobi Meyers might find himself back where it all began. Drafted by the Patriots in 2019, he rose to WR1 before hitting free agency in 2022. For Meyers, a return would feel like a full-circle moment. An X post now making rounds reads, “The #Raiders and #Patriots have discussed a trade that would involve Kyle Dugger for Jakobi Meyers #RaiderNation #NEPats,” opening the door for New England to strengthen Drake Maye’s receiving corps. The rookie QB could benefit from a veteran target, and a reunion seems almost inevitable.

Meyers thrived in New England under Josh McDaniels, who was his offensive coordinator for his first three years. McDaniels is now back in Foxborough, which makes the transition easier if a trade is finalized. It would not be the first time McDaniels pushed for Meyers, either. This all began when safety Kyle Dugger came on the chopping block, according to reports that surfaced a few hours back. Whispers indicated that the Patriots are exploring trade options despite Dugger signing a four-year, $58 million extension just last offseason. He has three years left on that deal, but his future in Foxborough looks increasingly uncertain as talks heat up.

If the trade materialises, Vrabel needs to do some complicated calculations.

Mike Vrabel’s WR competition heats up even further

As August rolled in, the Patriots’ wideout competition heated up. The leading trio has been Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, and DeMario Douglas, while veteran Kendrick Bourne and rookie Kyle Williams sit just behind them. When Mack Hollins returned to practice after his PUP stint, he immediately worked with Diggs and Douglas. That cut into Boutte’s first-team snaps and made the rotation tighter than ever.

Head coach Mike Vrabel reshaped his WR unit earlier this year in free agency by landing Diggs and Hollins. He then added Williams in the draft and brought in UDFA Efton Chism. The depth chart is now one of the most packed in the league. The Patriots are desperate for a reliable WR1 to support rookie Drake Maye. They have not had a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019, a drought that weighs heavily on this offense.

Injuries have made the situation worse. Reports surfaced that rookie Ja’Lynn Polk will need season-ending shoulder surgery. That news adds to Vrabel’s urgency to shape a healthy, dependable roster. His vision leaves no space for complacency, and a potential trade might provide the perfect boost at receiver.

The 42-10 preseason loss to the Giants only magnified the cracks. Depth issues and questions about talent behind the starters were glaring. With 91 players fighting for roster spots, cuts are inevitable. The addition of another veteran with ties to the offensive coordinator would only make this fight more cutthroat. Locker room pressure is building as roster decisions loom.