Recent trade ideas circulating online suggest that the Las Vegas Raiders are considering sending Jakobi Meyers to another team. But not just any team—their old Bay Area rival. This proposal appears to lack logic.
Why would the Raiders trade their 1,000-yard receiver?
The state of the wide receiver room is in a precarious situation. If you recall, general manager John Spytek entirely changed the makeup of the unit this offseason. He did this by drafting players like Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton, both of whom were expected to play significant roles in the offense. However, the addition of Amari Cooper was intended to help share the workload alongside Meyers. In other words, the Raiders are aiming to compete “now” rather than relying solely on their younger players.
If that’s truly the case, why would you ship off Meyers and to a rival team, no less? Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon recently presented the idea of the San Francisco 49ers acquiring Meyers.
“They’re dealing with significant injuries and departures at wide receiver and need reinforcements to ensure franchise quarterback Brock Purdy can get the offense back on track in 2025,” Gagnon wrote. “They also rank in the top 10 in cap space at the moment.” From San Francisco’s perspective, it makes sense. They have the financial resources and a clear need for reinforcements due to injuries. In contrast, the Raiders cannot afford to make that move—the optics would be unfavorable. Why would they assist their Bay Area rival? Especially when the proposed offer includes only a sixth-round pick and a cornerback with no starts (Darrell Luter), as Gagnon suggested.
The mentioned return for a receiver who has been your most reliable weapon since arriving in Sin City could be problematic. This issue is particularly concerning with Meyers coming off a season in which he recorded over 1,000 yards. The Raiders would be relying on Cooper to regain his former self, which is uncertain, along with a group of unproven rookies. It might be best to stick with Meyers for this season and evaluate the situation further in the offseason. Don’t fix what isn’t broken.
Related: So Why Is Amari Cooper Back With The Raiders?
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