When Davante Adams was traded from the Packers to the Raiders in March of 2022, it felt like that was the last time football fans would be treated to the dynamite combination of Aaron Rodgers and the Pro Bowl wide receiver.
It still does not appear as though the two will link up again; however, Jets GM Joe Douglas tried to make it happen.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Jets called the Raiders before last Tuesday's trade deadline about Adams. Las Vegas turned New York down, stating that the team was not interested in moving the wide receiver.
"We made a lot of calls on a lot of different positions," Douglas said after the deadline. "But it takes two to tango. We made a lot of calls, but we didn't get a lot of deals done."
MORE: How Josh McDaniels' firing impacts future salary
Trading for Adams would not have immediately reunited the two former Green Bay teammates. Rodgers is still recovering from his Achilles' injury suffered in the season opener, and it is unclear if he will return at all this season.
However, bringing in a player of Adams' caliber at the deadline would have given the Jets an elite wide receiver duo with Garrett Wilson, as well as signal to the rest of the team that the front office is willing to do whatever to stay competitive this season. Ultimately, the trade did not come to fruition, but it is certainly food for thought for the upcoming offseason.
Why didn't the Raiders trade Davante Adams?
It seemed like a breakup between the Raiders and Adams was inevitable given some of his comments leading up to the deadline. However, Las Vegas ultimately held onto the Pro Bowl wide receiver.
The trade rumors escalated due to Adams' comments after the team's Week 6 win over the Patriots. After just two catches and five targets against New England, the receiver publicly aired out his frustrations over his usage.
"I'm sure people are thinking, 'They won the game, why is there an issue?' I mean, you see why it's an issue," Adams said. "Y'all should know who I am, know what I'm about at this point ... when you're a player like me, mentally, my benchmark is not wins and losses — it's greatness. So when I go out there, I expect to be able to have that ability to put that on tape and have an influence on the game. That's my purpose for being here. I'm not here just to hang out; I came here to win and to do it the right way."
However, Adams walked back on the comments a few days later during an appearance on the "Rich Eisen Show". He stated that while he hadn't agreed on how certain things have gone, especially with the offense, he was not looking to leave the team.
"I am happy to be a Raider, 100%," Adams said. "This was my choice and this is something that I'm standing by, I want to continue to work at, to make it what it's supposed to be. I'm not happy at every moment with the way things go, but I'm definitely proud to wear this uniform. ... I'm not looking for a new home."
MORE: NFL trade deadline winners and losers
Not only did Adams not to ask for a trade, but the team views him as a vital part of the organization moving forward. He still is signed for another three seasons after this year, and after owner Mark Davis cleaned house by firing head coach Josh McDaniel, general manager Dave Ziegler and offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi, the vibes seem a lot better with Adams in the Raiders' locker room.
"I think it was time," Adams said of the personnel changes. "One way or the other it was time for some sort of change just to bring a little juice in and revitalize the team a little bit. I think it’s more of a mindset that we’re trying to not force but just have moving forward to just be as positive as possible. And we do have a change, so there’s more of a reason, like a definitive shift."
We will see what Adams' usage is like under interim head coach Antonio Pierce and newly appointed QB1 Aidan O'Connell. The Raiders look to get back in the win column on Sunday with a late afternoon matchup against the Giants.
But a Rodgers-Adams reunion undoubtedly would have been must-watch television on Sundays.
