All it took was one Aaron Rodgers comment about how he would love to reunite with his former top receiver to make Davante Adams Raiders-Jets trade rumors start to swirl again.
Rodgers told a reporter at last week's American Century Celebrity Golf Championship in Lake Tahoe that he "can't wait to play with Adams" again. Then former Jets QB Boomer Esiason, a noted Rodgers critic, made more such noise on his WFAN radio show, declaring the potential preseason timeline for a possible Adams deal going down between the two teams.
But as Rodgers is back from Nevada getting ready for training camp to open in New York, no one should expect Adams to leave Las Vegas to join him anytime soon. Here are three easy reasons to let the rumors die.
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Davante Adams contract, salary
This is the obvious, most significant obstacle. Adams is playing on a five-year, $140 million contract with the Raiders. He has a salary cap hit of $25 million this season, the second-highest on the team after his good friend, defensive end Maxx Crosby. The Raiders are still fifth in the NFL in cap space with around $34 million going into 2024 training camp. The Jets have about only $6 million left under the cap with defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and Rodgers combining for the biggest hits.
The Jets could get creative with cap-ology and a restructure for Adams, but he will cost them plenty at some point however the contract is carried. Taking on Adams' salary ahead of him turning 32 in December is not wise, especially with a bank-breaking deal for 22-year-old rising-star wideout Garrett Wilson looming in 2025.
Rodgers already has a fine No. 1 in Wilson and the team also took a worthy shot on former Chargers big-play threat Mike Williams. Adams is more of an expensive luxury acquisition vs. a necessary one, given the defense and the running game, which will revolve around an electric Breece Hall.
Jets, Raiders offseason strategy
If the Jets were interested in Adams, why would they wait to pull the trigger so close to the season starting. They have had a long enough offseason to explore Adams' potential availability. The Jets prioritized offensive tackle in free agency and the draft. The team also signed Williams for $10 million and used a rather high draft pick on rookie Malachi Corley.
The Jets need a lot more from other positions to contend in the AFC East or at least earn a wild-card berth. Wide receiver isn't an area in need, especially with Rodgers returning. He should be able to elevate that entire position group.
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Would the Raiders trade Davante Adams?
Why would the Raiders get rid of Adams now? With his screen time in the Netflix documentary series "Receiver," Adams did share his unhappiness about Las Vegas' offensive direction last season. But as documented on the show, that attitude changed quite a bit once QB Jimmy Garoppolo was benched, coach Josh McDaniels got fired and Antonio Pierce replaced the latter.
With a young group on offense, where Zamir White, Tre Trucker, Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Jackson Powers-Johnson and others are set for key roles, Adams' leadership is key, especially if second-year QB Aidan O'Connell remains the starter over newcomer Gardner Minshew.
Adams put together a great stretch in the second half last season while no longer operating for McDaniels, and with O'Connell getting most of the starting reps. Now, Adams gets a different Packers reunion in new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, the former passing game coordinator in Green Bay. The Raiders want to win games and see what they have in O'Connell and Minshew. They need Adams to help open up the rest of the offense, like his presence set up Jakobi Meyers to produce well as the No. 2 in 2023.
The Raiders would get limited draft picks return for Adams. With no cap issues, they would benefit more from having him stay put to boost Minshew or O'Connell. And if the team needs to draft a new franchise quarterback last season, keeping Adams around gives that player a strong target.
Adams-Rodgers Part 2 in a different shade of green might sound convenient, but in the end, it has as much current merit as Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski both un-retiring and playing together for a second time.
