The Las Vegas Raiders entered the 2025 NFL season with high hopes for their offense, spearheaded by offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. However, through seven games, the team has struggled mightily, averaging a dismal 14.7 points per game, one of the worst offensive outputs in the league. While much of the blame has fallen on quarterback Geno Smith and a faltering offensive line, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers has also failed to replicate his stellar 2024 performance.
Last season, Meyers enjoyed a career-best year, amassing 1,027 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 87 receptions in just 15 games. This season, however, the seventh-year pro has been a shadow of his former self, leading to speculation about his future with the Raiders. With Meyers in the final year of his three-year, $33 million contract, trade rumors have swirled as the November 4 trade deadline approaches.
While teams like the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Carolina Panthers have been mentioned as potential destinations, a surprising new suitor has emerged: the Buffalo Bills. The Bills, a team with Super Bowl aspirations, are reportedly in need of wide receiver help, and Meyers has been identified as a prime target. According to USA Today’s Nick Brinkerhoff, Meyers is the “most realistic” option for Buffalo, given his impending free agency and the Raiders’ potential shift toward younger receivers.
“Meyers headlines the bunch,” Brinkerhoff wrote. “Meyers is set to hit free agency, meaning he is a pure rental from the trade market perspective. He has become somewhat of a forgotten man after posting his first 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024, further opening the door for a deal. The seventh-year pro is a good candidate to be on the move as Vegas shifts their focus to the youth in their receiver room.”
Adding fuel to the speculation, Locked on Bills host Joe Marino revealed that Bills head coach Sean McDermott is a fan of Meyers, having praised his play and expressed admiration for the receiver back in 2023. This connection could make Buffalo an even more compelling destination for the veteran wideout.
Meyers’ situation with the Raiders has been complicated. Prior to the season, he sought a contract extension, but the Raiders’ front office declined to offer a new deal. Meyers reportedly requested a trade following the decision, though the team opted to keep him. Recent reports suggest that negotiations between Meyers and the Raiders are not far apart, but no agreement has been reached. With Las Vegas’ season spiraling and younger receiver Tre Tucker emerging as a key part of the offense, the Raiders may be motivated to trade Meyers rather than risk losing him in free agency for just a compensatory draft pick.
Raiders fans are divided on the idea of trading Meyers, who has been a reliable contributor when at his best. However, with the team’s focus shifting toward youth and the trade deadline looming, the front office may see this as an opportunity to gain assets in return for the veteran receiver. The Buffalo Bills, with their championship ambitions and need for a proven pass-catcher, could provide the perfect landing spot for Meyers.
As the November 4 deadline approaches, the situation remains fluid, and the emergence of the Bills as a serious contender adds an intriguing twist to the ongoing trade saga. Keep an eye on this developing story as the Raiders weigh their options and Meyers’ future hangs in the balance.