Back in October, it looked like the Patriots had nailed one of the boldest moves of the Mike Vrabel era. Stefon Diggs, the high-profile addition to a young and unproven wide receiver room, showed up in a big way against his former team in Week 5. Ten catches on 12 targets, 146 yards, and a 23-20 win over the Bills in Orchard Park - that’s the kind of performance that doesn’t just justify a signing, it energizes a franchise.
That night felt like a turning point. The Patriots went on to rattle off ten straight wins, and the offense - led by Diggs, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, and rookie Kyle Williams - looked more cohesive than it had in years.
Add in running back TreVeyon Henderson and tight end Hunter Henry, and suddenly New England’s skill group wasn’t just holding its own - it was helping second-year QB Drake Maye find his rhythm in Josh McDaniels’ system. This wasn’t a team leaning on a single superstar; it was a group thriving on timing, spacing, and finding the open man.
But now, with December football in full swing and the postseason picture sharpening, the shine from those early-season decisions is starting to wear off - and one missed opportunity is standing out in bold.
Jakobi Meyers is thriving in Jacksonville - and making the Patriots look like they missed the boat.
At the trade deadline, New England sat at 7-2 and atop the AFC. Momentum was on their side, the locker room was clicking, and the vibes were the best they’d been in years.
So when Vrabel chose to stand pat and protect future draft capital, it was a move that felt cautious but understandable. Year 1 of a new regime is about building for the long haul, not going all-in at the first sign of success.
But what looked like prudence at the time now feels like a costly misstep. Especially when you consider what’s happened with Meyers.
The Jaguars picked him up at the deadline for a pair of Day 3 picks - a fourth and a sixth. Since then, he’s been a difference-maker.
In six games, Meyers has 27 catches for 355 yards and three touchdowns. More importantly, he’s helped fuel a five-game win streak that’s vaulted Jacksonville into the thick of the AFC South title race.
His ability to read coverages, find soft spots, and convert key downs has been a perfect fit in Liam Coen’s offense.
And here’s the kicker: Meyers knew the McDaniels system cold. He’d already thrived in it in New England and Vegas.
Plugging him into this Patriots offense wouldn’t have required a learning curve - it would’ve been a seamless transition. That matters, especially when Kayshon Boutte missed time right after the deadline with a hamstring injury and Diggs is now battling through what looks like a late-season wear-down.
Diggs played just 26 snaps in the rematch against Buffalo - a season-low - and was barely involved in the game plan.
That’s where this gets dicey for New England. If Diggs is less than 100% heading into January, the Patriots’ passing game could be in trouble.
Against Buffalo last week, they were just a couple of plays shy of keeping pace with Josh Allen. A player like Meyers - reliable, smart, and battle-tested in this scheme - might’ve been the difference.
Maybe the thinking was that Meyers could be a free-agent target in 2026. That door’s now closed. Jacksonville locked him up with a three-year extension worth $20 million per year - and based on how he’s played, it’s money well spent.
So now, with the playoffs looming and the margin for error shrinking, the Patriots are left to wonder what could’ve been. The offense has been better than expected this season, no doubt. But in a league where the difference between a deep playoff run and an early exit often comes down to one or two plays, passing on Jakobi Meyers might be the moment this team looks back on with regret.
For now, the Patriots are still in the mix. But if Diggs can’t stay healthy and the depth behind him doesn’t step up, the decision to sit out the trade deadline could come back to haunt them when it matters most.