Watch: Jakobi Meyers Says Patriots 'Wouldn't Budge' On Contract

It is more salt in the wound for fans, as Meyers claimed he would've stayed in New England if the Patriots matched the three-year $33 million contract he received from the Raiders.

“They wouldn’t move,” Meyers said. “I wouldn’t have minded staying. It would’ve been a different conversation. I probably would’ve thought about it a little differently. I did enjoy Boston... It was definitely a sting when I left, but I understand the business side.”

Part of that "sting" for Meyers was that despite the Patriots insisting on not increasing their offer, they instead went out and signed JuJu Smith-Schuster. Granted, it was cheaper, as they gave the former Pittsburgh Steeler and Kansas City Chief $25.5 million over three years. 

However, even on a cheaper contract, he was supposed to be the replacement and, in some ways, an upgrade. Yet, that never came to fruition this past season, as Smith-Schuster was more of an afterthought than an impact player. 

Smith-Schuster finished the year with just 260 yards and a touchdown on 29 receptions, as he looked like a shell of his former self. As to why that was the case, numerous reports stated that the seventh-year receiver never truly recovered from the knee injury he suffered in Kansas City.

Meanwhile, Meyers flourished in Las Vegas. Despite playing with three different quarterbacks due to injuries, he totaled 807 yards and eight touchdowns on 71 receptions in 16 games for the Raiders.

In many ways, decisions like letting Meyers walk instead of giving up an extra million came back to haunt the Patriots and Belichick in their final years together.