Jakobi Meyers felt unwanted by the Patriots

Coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots have struggled to develop young receivers, but they found one in Jakobi Meyers. However, surprisingly, they didn’t sign him as a free agent.

Belichick tried to create the impression of a close competition for Meyers during the week, but he ended up signing with the Raiders in March.

In an article by Andrew Callahan for the Boston Herald, it was revealed that the Patriots weren’t particularly interested in keeping Meyers. He had reportedly told teammates and staffers, just days before signing with Las Vegas, that “They don’t want me.”

Callahan also reports that the Patriots weren’t even Meyers’ second choice. The team was divided on whether to keep him. Eventually, Belichick gave in to others convincing him about the potential of free-agent receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster’s ability to gain yards after the catch.

This season, Meyers has made 25 catches for 274 yards and three touchdowns in four games. On the other hand, Smith-Schuster has only managed 14 catches for 86 yards and zero touchdowns in five games with the Patriots.

Smith-Schuster will be unavailable for tomorrow’s game against the Raiders, but Meyers will be playing. It would be fitting if Meyers becomes a difference-maker in this game, as a loss would drop the Patriots to a 1-5 record.