Davante Adams Rumors: Rival Execs ‘Convinced’ Raiders WR ‘Focused’ on Jets Trade
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVOctober 2, 2024
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Davante Adams may be catching passes from Aaron Rodgers again in the near future.
After NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday that the Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver asked the AFC West team for a trade, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Wednesday that many around the league believe the New York Jets will be his landing spot.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter also reported that Adams “would like to play with a QB he knows” and listed the Jets and New Orleans Saints as teams on his wishlist.
Albert Breer of the MMQB later reported that teams involved in the Adams sweepstakes “have become convinced the Raiders star is focused on engineering a trade to the Jets.” He added that the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills had inquired about a trade for the wide receiver.
Derek Carr is under center for the Saints and previously played with Adams in the NFL with the Raiders and collegiately at Fresno State.
It is not just teams with quarterbacks who previously threw to the wide receiver that are interested. Russini noted the Dallas Cowboys “checked in with the Raiders,” while NFL insider Josina Anderson listed the Steelers as a team that showed “preliminary interest.”
Still, it comes as anything but a surprise that New York is one of the teams connected to the 31-year-old.
The Jets are in win now-mode with the 40-year-old Rodgers under center. There is also an established chemistry already in place, as Adams caught passes from the veteran for eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers from 2014 through 2021.
He had three seasons with more than 1,300 receiving yards and five seasons with double-digit touchdown catches in that span, including when he led the league with 18 in 2020.
New York already has Garrett Wilson as a No. 1 option, but he and Rodgers have gotten off to an inconsistent start this season. The Ohio State product has 20 catches for 191 yards and one touchdown through four games and has been a focal point of opposing secondaries.
Trading for Adams could mean better opportunities for Wilson as well, considering defenses will be less likely to double him given the presence of one of the best receivers in the league.
It would also elevate the Jets’ chances at taking home the Lombardi Trophy as Rodgers looks to add to his Hall of Fame resume.