The Kansas City Chiefs have been the cream of the crop at the top of the AFC West for the past decade. As a result, their other three division rival have been trying and failing to keep up with the Chiefs. Despite that, the AFC West does seem like it could be a bit more competitive in 2025.
That said, some recent results continue to prove why Kansas City's other rivals have failed to catch up to them. On Monday, Ian Rapoport reported that Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers requested a trade. While the Raiders have no interest in trading him, this reinforces just how dysfunctional an organization they are.
#Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers recently met with team brass and requested to be traded, per me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 25, 2025
The team, citing his value, said they had no plans to do so. Meyers and the team attempted to negotiate a new contract, but could not come to terms. pic.twitter.com/GM2oUMDjt3
Jakobi Meyers Trade Request Highlights Raiders Dysfunction
At the beginning of this offseason, the Raiders hired Pete Carroll to be their head coach. Despite Carroll being 73 years old, this was looked at as a smart short-term hire by Las Vegas. The veteran head coach understands what it takes to win games at the highest level in the NFL.
In addition to hiring Carroll, the Raiders traded for quarterback Geno Smith and drafted running back Ashton Jeanty. Smith and Carroll already have a connection from their time together in Seattle. Whereas Jenty was drafted to help improve Vegas's ground game, which ranked among the worst in the NFL last season.
Adding those pieces to an offense that has an ascending tight end in Brock Bowers and an established receiver like Meyers was only bound to make the team better. Therefore, it would only make sense to pay the 28-year-old.
Be that as it may, dysfunctional organizations don't always make the smartest decisions. This is a perfect example of that. All NFL fans, including Raiders fans, understand how important Meyers was to the team last year. The numbers don't lie. In 2024, he recorded 87 receptions on 129 targets for 1,027 yards and four touchdowns
If the Raiders fail to agree to an extension with Meyers before the season starts, it may lead to a boiling point between the two sides. Assuming that happens, Chiefs Kingdom will have every right to laugh in their division rivals' faces.