Foxborough, MA – The Las Vegas Raiders are mired in a crisis with a 2-5 record after seven weeks of the 2025 NFL season. Amid this, the former New England Patriots star wide receiver (WR) with over 5,000 career receiving yards has expressed a desire to return to Gillette Stadium. Notably, this former star is willing to take on the role of a depth WR (deep reserve) to reunite with his old team, according to sources from ESPN and MassLive (10/22/2025).
Disappointing Season with the Raiders
Meyers, 28, is enduring a tough season with the Raiders. Despite a breakout 2024 with 87 receptions and 1,027 yards, he has struggled to shine in a faltering offensive system under head coach Pete Carroll. The Raiders, last in the AFC West, lost four straight games before a narrow 20-10 win over the Titans (Week 6), but a 6-40 thrashing by the Colts (Week 5) exposed their issues.
With an offense averaging just 14.7 points per game (31st in the NFL), Meyers, who requested a trade in August after failed contract extension talks, stated: “If the Patriots call, I’m ready — whether it’s a big role or just standing in the depth chart. I just want to return to where it all started, where I grew and was trusted when no one else believed in me. I just want to wear the Patriots jersey again and fight for the logo on my chest.”
Opportunity to Reunite with the Patriots
Meyers’ offer comes at a time when the Patriots need to bolster their offense for young QB Drake Maye. Despite having Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte, the Patriots’ WR depth chart is thin with eight players, with Javon Baker (WR8) primarily playing special teams. Meyers, who led the Patriots in receptions for three straight seasons (2020-2022, totaling 235 catches, 2,758 yards), is well-versed in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ system. “I know how things work in Foxboro and I’m ready to start from the bottom to prove myself,” he shared with MassLive after the loss to the Chiefs (Week 7).
Remarkable Career
From an undrafted free agent in 2019, Meyers became a cornerstone for the Patriots with his precise route-running and reliable hands. He holds an NFL record with 134 catches and 1,560 yards before his first receiving touchdown (2021), notched three passing TDs, and amassed 4,921 yards over six seasons. The decision to let him go in 2023, replaced by JuJu Smith-Schuster, remains controversial.
Trade Deal in Sight?
With the NFL trade deadline (11/4/2025) approaching, the Patriots have $61 million in cap space to acquire Meyers (salary under $15 million). Sources like Heavy Sports predict a trade package involving a fourth-round draft pick. “Meyers could be a mentor for Maye,” Phil Perry (NBC Sports Boston) noted. However, the Raiders may retain him until season’s end, while the Patriots consider bigger targets like DK Metcalf. Still, Meyers emphasized: “My future is where I can shine.” Will the Patriots call their “old son” back before the deadline?
