Patriots Country

JuJu vs. Jakobi: Old Patriots WR Offers Opinion on New Patriots WR

Jakobi Meyers shared his three-word reaction to the New England Patriots' signing JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Richie Whitt

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About the same size: 6-1 or 6-2, 200 pounds.

Same age: 26 years old, separated by 13 days.

Identical new contracts: three years, $33 million.

But when it comes to Jakobi vs. JuJu, the New England Patriots clearly think there is little comparison. Because after letting leading receiver Jakobi Meyers walk out the door in free agency, the Pats signed JuJu Smith-Schuster to take his place.

In 2022 Meyers led the Pats with 67 catches, 808 yards and six touchdowns. Smith-Schuster won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs, with 78 catches, 933 yards and three scores.

While Meyers signed a free-agent contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, Smith-Schuster is leaving the Chiefs to come to Foxboro and hopefully exceed the stats his predecessor produced.

Meyers went from undrafted to underappreciated in New England. By all accounts, the Patriots did little to attempt to keep him. And when he learned of Smith-Schuster's identical contract, he couldn't help but respond on his social media.

Tweeted Meyers, "Cold world lol".

Clearly, Bill Belichick valued the 26-year-old Smith-Schuster over the 26-year-old wideout he’d helped turn into his leading receiver.

On paper at least, it’s an upgrade for New England. Meyers has never reached the heights of Smith-Schuster. But he has thrived in situations where there’s a clear top target ahead of him, whether that’s been Antonio Brown in Pittsburgh or Travis Kelce in Kansas City.

Unless the Pats make a deal to acquire a No. 1 receiver such as DeAndre Hopkins, Jerry Jeudy or Odell Beckham Jr., Smith-Schuster will be Mac Jones' top target in 2023.

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

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