Raiders Eye Tyler Lockett as Potential Jakobi Meyers Replacement: A Pete Carroll Reunion to Spark Offense.vc
LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Raiders, mired in a 2-5 start to the 2025 NFL season, are exploring bold moves to salvage their offense, which ranks 29th in passing yards and 28th in touchdowns. With wide receiver Jakobi Meyers’ future uncertain due to a trade request, injuries, and a contract standoff, the team is reportedly targeting a familiar face to head coach Pete Carroll: veteran wideout Tyler Lockett, recently released by the Tennessee Titans. This potential signing, rooted in Lockett’s nine-year history with Carroll in Seattle, could provide a seamless fit and a much-needed spark for an offense struggling under first-year coach Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith.
Lockett: A Proven Playmaker with Carroll Ties
Tyler Lockett, a three-time All-Pro and 2015 Pro Bowler, was released by the Titans on October 20, 2025, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, and is free to sign after 4 p.m. ET on October 22. The 33-year-old spent a decade with the Seahawks (2015-2024), thriving under Carroll with 7,297 yards, 48 touchdowns, and a 2020-21 peak of back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons alongside Geno Smith. In 2025, Lockett managed 22 catches for 283 yards and one touchdown in six games with Tennessee before his release, a dip from his Seattle prime but still a reliable target. “Pete has always trusted this player’s ability to execute in critical moments,” an NFL insider told The Sporting News, noting Lockett’s clutch reputation and familiarity with Carroll’s system.
CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani suggests Lockett could “make life easier” for Smith, who’s thrown a league-high eight interceptions in 2025, lacking chemistry with a young receiving corps. With rookie Ashton Jeanty bolstering the run game and All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers (1,194 yards in 2024) battling a knee injury, Lockett’s veteran presence could stabilize the offense. X posts echo the sentiment: “Lockett with Carroll and Geno again? That’s a cheat code for Vegas.”
Meyers’ Uncertain Future
Jakobi Meyers, 28, has been a cornerstone for the Raiders, leading with 29 catches, 43 targets, and 329 yards through six games in 2025, per ESPN. The sports card above lists the Raiders’ receivers, with Meyers as the WR1, but his trade request—first made in August 2025 after failed extension talks—looms large. “Oh, for sure,” Meyers reiterated on October 21, doubling down on his desire to be traded before the November 4 deadline, though he vowed to remain professional. Knee and toe injuries sidelined him for a 31-0 loss to the Chiefs, and his $10.5M base salary (final year of a three-year, $33M deal) makes him expendable with rookie Jack Bech waiting in the wings.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed a trade sending Meyers to the Giants for CB Deonte Banks, a 2026 fifth-round pick, and cash, opening snaps for Bech while addressing Vegas’ shaky secondary. Teams like the Patriots, Steelers, and Commanders are reportedly interested, per Yardbarker, but the Raiders’ 2-5 record may push GM John Spytek to sell.
Why Lockett Makes Sense
Lockett’s signing would be a low-risk, high-reward move for a Raiders offense desperate for reliability. At an estimated $3-6M (akin to Amari Cooper’s 2025 deal), he’s a cost-effective bridge, per The Athletic. His chemistry with Smith and Carroll, plus a 14.7 yards-per-catch average in Seattle, could revive a passing game where only Tre Tucker has caught a touchdown in 2025. With $52M in cap space, the Raiders can afford Lockett while pursuing draft picks or young talent, aligning with Carroll’s “go for it” mantra.
However, challenges remain. Lockett, turning 34 in 2026, isn’t a long-term fix, and convincing him to join a 2-5 team over contenders like the Chiefs or Patriots could hinge on Carroll’s pull. The Raiders’ Week 8 bye offers time to integrate him before their November 2 clash with Jacksonville.
Connecting to Braves’ Offseason Moves
The Raiders’ potential pivot to Lockett mirrors the Atlanta Braves’ bold managerial shift toward Danny Lehmann, a data-driven Dodgers coach tied to GM Alex Anthopoulos. Both teams, stung by 2025 disappointments, are leaning on trusted relationships—Carroll with Lockett, Anthopoulos with Lehmann—to reset their trajectories. Just as Lehmann could spark Atlanta’s veteran core, Lockett’s familiarity with Carroll’s system could stabilize Vegas’ offense, especially if Meyers is traded.
Recommendation: Sign Lockett, Trade Meyers
The Raiders should pursue Lockett to reunite him with Carroll and Smith, leveraging his experience to mentor young receivers like Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. Trading Meyers for a defensive piece like Banks, as Barnwell suggests, aligns with Carroll’s defensive roots and frees cap space. With the AFC West brutal and playoffs fading, this move signals adaptability while keeping Vegas competitive.
