The San Francisco 49ers, reigning NFC champions, faced uncertainty regarding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s contract extension before Week 1, prompting the team to explore backup options. One notable name that came up was former New England Patriots wideout Jakobi Meyers.
According to Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, the 49ers contacted the Las Vegas Raiders about a potential trade for Meyers as a contingency plan in case negotiations with Aiyuk stalled. However, the Raiders rejected San Francisco’s inquiry, as they were not interested in parting ways with the 27-year-old after his successful first season in Las Vegas.
In his debut season with the Raiders, Meyers posted solid numbers, recording 71 receptions on 106 targets for 807 yards and eight touchdowns in 16 games. While Meyers is not the primary target in Las Vegas—that honor goes to six-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams—he has proven to be a reliable and efficient option. Meyers signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the Raiders last offseason after spending four years with the Patriots, and the team is committed to keeping him.
Despite not being the top receiver, Meyers outperformed Adams in Week 1 of the season, leading the Raiders with 61 receiving yards in their 22-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Adams finished with 59 yards, though he had two more receptions than Meyers.
Meanwhile, Brandon Aiyuk had a rough start to the season after a tumultuous offseason filled with contract disputes and missed training camp. Though he recently signed a four-year, $120 million extension, including $79 million guaranteed, Aiyuk struggled in the 49ers’ 32-19 win over the New York Jets, managing just 28 yards on two receptions. He also dropped a key touchdown pass before halftime, leading to criticism of his performance.
The 49ers had hoped Aiyuk would deliver at a high level after his lucrative deal, but early struggles led them to explore alternatives like Meyers. However, with Las Vegas unwilling to trade their young receiver, the 49ers will need Aiyuk to step up and justify the investment made in him.
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