Free agents the Patriots need to re-sign for 2023 season

The Patriots have a long list of players hitting free agency this offseason, with a handful expected to retire. However, with a healthy amount of cap space to spend and valuable members of the team set to test the market, Bill Belichick and co. should make sure these players remain in New England.

Pending free agents the Patriots need to re-sign for 2023

Jakobi Meyers

The offense was by far the most troublesome aspect of the 2022 season, but a consistent bright spot was always Jakobi Meyers.

The wide receiver has been with the Patriots since 2019 when he was signed as an undrafted free agent. Although the start of his NFL career was slow, he became an integral part of the offense under the mentorship of Cam Newton during the 2020 season, totaling 59 receptions for 729 yards. Meyers quickly earned the WR1 role the following year with Mac Jones under center, which continued throughout this past season.

In the four seasons spent in New England, Meyers has tallied 60 games with 235 receptions, 2,758 yards, and eight touchdowns. He’s also shown his former quarterback skills in that time, completing four of four passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns.

Not only has he become a reliable member of the team, but he has also earned the respect and admiration of those around him. Jones has sung his praises over the last two seasons, declaring Meyers as the best teammate he has ever had. Meanwhile, Bill Belichick, who doesn’t often speak about individual players on the team, had nothing but positive things to say about the type of man and player that Meyers is, even comparing him to Patriots’ great Julian Edelman.

Other than the obvious support from the team to remain in New England, the free agent market for receivers this offseason is not the best. Meyers will undoubtedly be the best of the bunch, making his return to the Patriots much more valuable.