According to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, via agent Drew Rosenhaus, the Patriots are expected to use a second-round restricted free agent tender on wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. The move was expected as Meyers has emerged from being a 2019 undrafted rookie free agent to the team's leading receiver in 2021.
Meyers will make just under $4 million for the 2022 season if he signs and plays under the tender, though the team could still look to work out a long-term deal before that happens.
Meyers has gone from 26 catches to 59 to 83 after breaking in with the team out of NC State, showing remarkable strides in three years. Meyers scored the first two receiving touchdowns of his career in 2021, and has completed all four of his passes attempts over the last two years, which included two touchdown tosses in 2020 as he's been a versatile threat.
Meyers also showed a good rapport with quarterback Mac Jones, with Jones often looking for Meyers in some of the most critical situations during the season. Now, Meyers appears set to return for at least another season to continue that development.
Also indicated in the report was that the team does not plan to use a tender on fellow restricted free agent fullback Jakob Johnson. There were no indications yet on the team's intentions with their final RFA, Gunner Olszewski. If not tagged, both would be free to sign with another team without any compensation for New England.
For a full 2022 Patriots Free Agency primer click here.
