From the moment Aaron Rodgers was traded to the Jets in April of 2023, many thought acquiring his former teammate Davante Adams was inevitable.
Now, we are closer than ever to that reality.
Adams has informed the Raiders, with whom he has spent the last three seasons, that he prefers to be traded, according to multiple sources. The Jets were interested in acquiring Adams a season ago despite Rodgers’ Achilles tear four plays into his debut. However, the Raiders were not interested in dealing Adams, who has been their top receiver.
After spending eight seasons with Rodgers in Green Bay, Adams was traded to the Raiders in 2022 and signed a five-year, $140 million contract. The six-time Pro Bowler has two years remaining on his contract after the 2024 season ($35.6 million base salary). However, Adams has zero guaranteed money left on his deal after this season.
Whoever wants to trade for Adams would need at least $13 million in cap space.
In addition to the Jets, Adams will have plenty of suitors who believe he can help them become Super Bowl contenders. Let’s examine the Jets and each potential landing spot for Adams.
JETS
Adams and Rodgers have an obvious connection dating back to their years together in Green Bay. Current Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was also with Rodgers and Adams in Green Bay from 2019-21, so this would be a natural fit.
The Jets’ offense has been on a roller coaster ride since the start of the season. Rodgers and Garrett Wilson haven’t had the chemistry many people expected before the season began, and Allen Lazard, who also played with Adams with the Packers, has been the Jets’ best receiver after four games.
Gang Green could use another target, considering Mike Williams’ injury history and lack of depth after Wilson, Lazard and Williams. The Jets have the most cap space out of all the candidates on this list. They currently have $16.8 million of open space.
The 2024 season is a critical year for Jets coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas. After receiving a mulligan after Rodgers’ injury a year ago, the Jets need to end their 13-year playoff drought, or there could be drastic changes after the season.
A third-round pick and other compensation shouldn’t be too much for Douglas because he knows what is at stake this year. So does Rodgers because if Saleh and Douglas leave after the season, he is likely to do the same.
SAINTS
Logically, Adams to the Saints would make a lot of sense. One of the main reasons Adams wanted to go to the Raiders in the first place in 2022 was to play with his former Fresno State teammate and then Las Vegas QB Derek Carr.
However, after playing just one season together and finishing 6-11, the Raiders released Carr during the 2023 offseason. Now, Adams and Carr could be reunited once again.
The Saints are 2-2 and could use another receiver to complement Chris Olave. A trade to New Orleans would get Adams out of the AFC, and the Raiders wouldn’t have to worry about playing him regularly.
New Orleans currently has $2.78 million in salary cap space. So, needless to say, the Saints would have a lot of work to do before acquiring Adams.
STEELERS
The Steelers were reportedly in on the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes if the 49ers had decided to trade him. But Aiyuk signed a four-year extension with San Francisco ahead of this season.
Pittsburgh certainly could use an upgrade at the receiver position. George Pickens and Calvin Austin III are solid, but the Steelers needs a No. 1 option.
The Steelers have gotten off to a 3-1 start with Justin Fields under center. Having a target like Adams would give Fields a security blanket and back teams off the line of scrimmage, which would then help the Steelers’ rushing attack.
Pittsburgh has $10.6 million in salary cap space, so it wouldn’t have to shed a lot of money before trading for Adams.
BILLS
The Bills should immediately call Raiders general manager Tom Telesco. After trading Stefon Diggs to the Texans last offseason, Buffalo QB Josh Allen lacks a top target during critical moments in a game. Rookie Keon Coleman could eventually be a game-changing receiver, but he is still adjusting to the NFL game.
Acquiring Adams would serve multiple purposes, including preventing the Jets and Rodgers from reconnecting. Second, Adams could be the missing piece for a Bills team looking to be the biggest challenger to the Chiefs in the AFC.
The Bills only have $3.7 million in salary cap space, so they would have to free up funds to acquire Adams.
RAVENS
Imagine an offense with Adams, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
Zay Flowers is a dependable receiver and tight end Isaiah Likely has become a real weapon for the Ravens’ offense. However, Jackson still needs that receiver who can stretch defenses and prevent them from dedicating all their resources to stopping the run.
Just like some of the other teams on this list, the Ravens have limited cap space. Baltimore currently has $4.3 million in cap space.
CHIEFS
Through four games, Kansas City has been snakebitten by wide receiver injuries. Marquise Brown (shoulder) is expected to miss the entire regular season, and Rashee Rice (knee) could be out for the season after suffering an injury in their win against the Chargers on Sunday.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach will undoubtedly be searching for some type of receiver upgrade, and they should at least call the Raiders about Adams. However, it is hard to envision the Raiders trading Adams to their bitter rival unless they sweeten the pot.
However, if the Chiefs gave the Raiders a first-round pick for Adams, they probably wouldn’t say no. Kansas City currently has $4.8 million in cap space, so it would need to gain some cap flexibility before acquiring Adams.
