(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

The New England Patriots face a challenge as the season approaches. They need a reliable target who can elevate their passing attack.

One name has surfaced in recent trade discussions that could address those concerns while bringing back a familiar face.

Jakobi Meyers has requested a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders amid stalled contract negotiations.

The veteran receiver spent his first four NFL seasons in New England before joining Las Vegas.

Analyst Ted Johnson Jr believes the Patriots should pursue their former player aggressively.

“People think that if you sign him, there’s redundancy. No way. He would be the best receiver on this football team if they traded for Jakobi,” Ted Johnson Jr. said on WEEI Sports Radio.

New England replaced Meyers with JuJu Smith-Schuster, who failed to make a significant impact.

Meanwhile, Meyers thrived in Las Vegas after his departure. From 2020 to 2022, he served as the Patriots’ top receiver and provided the consistency they clearly miss.

The Raiders appear reluctant to trade Meyers despite his interest in moving. They value him as their primary receiving option heading into the final year of his contract.

Meyers carries a base salary of around $10.5 million after posting career-high numbers with 87 receptions for 1,027 yards in 2024.

Moreover, the presence of Josh McDaniels, who worked with Meyers during his Patriots tenure and recently returned to New England as offensive coordinator, only intensifies speculation about a potential reunion.