Robert Kraft Finally Admits Mistake After Jakobi Meyers' Exit
By Ryan Bunton
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft echoed a common sentiment among the fanbase, when he acknowledged that the Patriots shouldn't have let former wide receiver Jakobi Meyers leave last offseason in free agency.
An undrafted free agent out of N.C. State in 2019, Meyers spent four years with New England before departing for the Las Vegas Raiders last March.
Appearing on "The Shop", Kraft was joined by Meyers' fellow Raiders wideout Davante Adams. A three-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, Adams shared some insight into Meyers' impressive football IQ. This led Kraft to comment: "We shouldn't have let him go..."
Robert Kraft shared a funny moment with Davante Adams after Adams said he learned a lot from former #Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers:
— Carlos (@LosTalksPats) March 28, 2024
Adams:
“I learned from Jakobi this year, like so much that I didn’t know before — “
Kraft:
“We shouldn’t have let him go…”
(🎥 @TheShopUN) pic.twitter.com/pTkhaWQY4a
In his four campaigns in a Patriots uniform, Meyers hauled in 235 passes for 2,758 yards. He was also a favorite target of former New England quarterback Mac Jones, and his departure was yet another point in the litany of moves that the Patriots made in failing their young quarterback.
During Super Bowl week, Meyers shed some light on just how cheap the Patriots got with him during contract negotiations last offseason. The wideout revealed that New England came up $1 million short of the 27-year-old's asking price, with Belichick and co. holding steady on their evaluation:
"They just wouldn’t budge. At the end of the day, (Bill Belichick) didn’t want to move."
- Jakobi Meyers on contract negotiations
Ultimately, Bill Belichick tried to replace Meyers' production with JuJu Smith-Schuster, a move that failed disastrously. Smith-Schuster only racked up 260 yards and a single TD in 2023.
Meyers caught eight touchdown passes in his first season in Las Vegas. The New England Patriots threw 16 touchdown passes as a team in 2023. Yes, Meyers single-handedly halved the Patriots receiving touchdown total last season.
For New England fans, it is yet another frustrating example on the heels of The Dynasty documentary of Kraft attempting to take credit for the all of the franchise's positive moments, and simultaneously wash his hands clean of any negative elements.
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