You’re walking through the tailgates at Gillette Stadium. The air smells like charcoal and overpriced beer. You see the usual sea of Brady 12s, maybe a few Edelman 11s, and a whole lot of those new Drake Maye jerseys. But then, you spot it. The number 16. It’s a Jakobi Meyers Patriots jersey.
Honestly, it catches you off guard. He hasn't played in Foxborough since 2022. He's been catching touchdowns for the Raiders and Jaguars while the Patriots' offense went through a painful identity crisis.
Yet, the jersey persists.
Why? Because Jakobi Meyers wasn't just another wideout. He was the ultimate "started from the bottom" story in a franchise that usually prides itself on finding gems in the rough. If you own this jersey, you’re basically telling the world you value reliability over flash.
The Weird Legend of the #16
Most people forget Jakobi wasn't even supposed to be a receiver. He arrived at NC State as a quarterback. By the time he hit the NFL in 2019 as an undrafted free agent, he was just a guy trying to survive the final roster cuts.
He didn't just survive. He became the guy.
During those weird, transitional post-Brady years, Meyers was often the only reason the offense moved the chains. You remember the stat, right? The "no touchdown" curse? It was one of the most bizarre stretches in NFL history. He had 134 receptions and 1,560 yards before he finally found the end zone in Week 10 of the 2021 season against the Browns.
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Fans bought the Jakobi Meyers Patriots jersey during that drought as a sort of badge of honor. It was like saying, "I see the work this guy is putting in, even if the box score is being stubborn."
Why These Jerseys Are Still Surfacing in 2026
Football fans are nostalgic. It's a fact. But with Meyers, it’s deeper. When he left for Las Vegas on that three-year, $33 million deal in 2023, there was a genuine sense of mourning in New England.
A lot of fans felt like the team let the "wrong one" go.
- The Trust Factor: Mac Jones trusted him. Cam Newton trusted him. Heck, even Brian Hoyer trusted him.
- The Trick Plays: People forget he threw two touchdown passes before he even caught one. Those #16 jerseys represent that versatility.
- The Work Ethic: He won the Ed Block Courage Award. That matters in a place like Boston.
The current market for a Jakobi Meyers Patriots jersey is actually pretty interesting. Since he’s now established himself as a reliable veteran in Jacksonville—following a trade from the Raiders in late 2025—the original New England versions have become "cool" throwbacks. It’s not a "legacy" jersey like a Bruschi or a McGinest, but it’s a "real fan" jersey.
If you see someone in a #16 today, they didn't just hop on a bandwagon. They watched the 2020 season. They survived the 2-10 stretches. They remember the 12-reception game against the Jets on Monday Night Football.
Spotting a Real One vs. a Knockoff
If you're looking to snag one of these now, you’ve basically got two choices: the secondary market or custom orders. Because he’s no longer on the active roster, the official ProShop doesn't keep them on the hangers.
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You’ve got to be careful with the "too good to be true" deals on auction sites.
The authentic Nike jerseys from his era have specific stitching. The "Game" jerseys have screen-printed numbers that shouldn't peel after three washes if they're legit. If the "16" looks a little too shiny or the navy blue looks more like a royal purple under the sun, you’re looking at a fake.
A lot of collectors are currently hunting for the "Color Rush" version of the Jakobi Meyers Patriots jersey. Those all-navy uniforms with the bold red stripes on the shoulders were arguably the best look he wore.
What That Jersey Represents Today
Let's be real for a second. The Patriots' wide receiver room has been a bit of a revolving door for half a decade. We've seen high-priced free agents disappear and high-draft picks fail to launch.
Meyers was the opposite.
He was the $0 investment that paid out like a blue-chip stock. Wearing his jersey in 2026 is a silent protest against the big-money busts. It’s an appreciation for the guy who did his job.
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He finished his New England stint with 235 catches for 2,758 yards. Those aren't Hall of Fame numbers, but in the context of where the team was? They were life rafts.
How to Style and Care for Your #16
If you’ve still got yours in the closet, or you just picked one up from a vintage seller, keep it in good shape. These aren't being mass-produced anymore.
- Cold Wash Only: Never, ever put an NFL jersey in hot water. The heat destroys the adhesives on the numbers.
- Air Dry: The dryer is the enemy of the screen-print. Hang it up. Let the New England breeze do the work.
- Frame the Signed Ones: If you were lucky enough to get him to sign it before he left for the Raiders, stop wearing it to the bar. Get a shadow box. His signature (usually a clean 'Jakobi Meyers #16') is actually holding steady in value because of his continued success in the league.
Whether you're wearing it because you miss his third-down conversions or just because you like the way the navy blue looks with your favorite hoodie, the Jakobi Meyers Patriots jersey remains a staple of the Gillette Stadium experience. It represents an era that was tough, gritty, and undeniably complicated.
Just like the player himself.
Actionable Next Steps: Check reputable resale platforms like eBay or Poshmark for "New England Patriots #16" listings, but always verify the wash-tag photos to ensure authenticity. If you prefer a brand-new feel, you can still use the "Custom Jersey" feature on the official NFL Shop to recreate the Meyers #16 look on the current jersey template.